Independent Lighting Energy Interruption System With Energy Subdivisioning and Method

ABSTRACT

An auxiliary lighting energy interruption system for use with snow plows and like front-mounted vehicle accessories is disclosed which facilitates the interconnection of such systems to the lighting system of a vehicle upon which the vehicle accessory is mounted to provide power to and to control the auxiliary lights with the lighting system of the vehicle. The system provides first and second harness portions for respective installation on the vehicle and the vehicle accessory, with the first harness portion having a first configuration when it is not connected to the second harness portion and a second configuration when it is connected to the second harness portion. The first configuration allow the headlights on the vehicle to operate, while the second configuration allows only the headlights on the vehicle accessory to operate, with changes between the first and second configurations being accomplished without the need for a switch or a relay.

IDENTIFICATION OF RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 12/189,460, filed on Aug. 11, 2008, now U.S. Pat. No.7,762,698, granted on Jul. 27, 2010, entitled “Independent LightingEnergy Interruption System With Energy Subdivisioning and Method,” whichin turn is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/341,144, filed on Jan. 27, 2006, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,410,281, grantedon Aug. 12, 2008, entitled “Independent Lighting Energy InterruptionSystem With Advanced Reconfiguration and Method,” which itself is acontinuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/146,985,filed on May 29, 2005, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,438,458, granted on Oct. 21,2008, entitled “Independent Lighting Energy Interruption System andMethod,” which in turn is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 11/047,303, filed on Jan. 31, 2005, now U.S. Pat.No. 7,137,724, granted on Nov. 21, 2006, entitled “Independent LightingSystem and Method,” all four of which patent applications are assignedto the assignee of the present invention, and all four of which patentapplications are hereby incorporated herein by reference in theirentirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to auxiliary lighting systemssuch as those found on snow plows and like front-mounted vehicleaccessories, and more particularly to a wiring harness for facilitatingthe interconnection of such auxiliary lighting systems to the lightingsystem of a vehicle upon which the vehicle accessory is mounted toprovide power to and to control the auxiliary lights with the lightingsystem of the vehicle.

Snow plows and like front-mounted vehicle accessories are mounted onvehicles such as pickup trucks or sport utility vehicles (SUV's) havebeen in use for some time, and such snow plows allow the quick andconvenient plowing and removal of snow using the vehicle. Such snowplows and like front-mounted vehicle accessories are removable from thevehicle so that they need be attached to the vehicle only when needed(for snow plows, during the winter season when they will be used, withsnow plows typically being removed from the vehicle for the balance ofthe year). Since such front-mounted vehicle accessories are mounted atthe front of the vehicle in a position and at a level in front of thefront end of the vehicle, they obstruct the lights of the vehicle,thereby necessitating the inclusion of lights on the vehicle accessory(for snow plows, in a position above the blade of the snow plow). It isparticularly important to include headlights on such vehicle accessorieswhich may be used at night (snow plows are frequently used in the earlymorning hours following a snow storm, well prior to sunrise).

Such front-mounted vehicle accessories typically have auxiliaryheadlights which are mounted on lighting bars located on the frames ofthe vehicle accessories. Since front-mounted vehicle accessories aremounted on vehicles in positions which obstruct the headlights of thevehicles, the headlights of vehicles having such vehicle accessoriesmounted thereon are typically disconnected. This is done for tworeasons, the first of which is that since the headlights of a vehiclehaving a front-mounted vehicle accessory are obstructed by the vehicleaccessory, and thus the headlights of the vehicle do not provide usefullight and are redundant in view of the headlights mounted on the vehicleaccessory. The second reason is that the simultaneous use of bothheadlights on a vehicle and headlights on a front-mounted vehicleaccessory will require a high current drain which will have a number ofadverse effect on the vehicle ranging from blowing the fuses on theheadlights circuit to potentially and rapidly draining the battery anddisabling the vehicle.

For this reason, lighting systems on front-mounted vehicle accessoriesare designed to allow the headlights of the vehicle to be disconnectedand instead to operate the headlights of the vehicle accessory from thelighting system of the vehicle. Early examples of such lighting systemsfor use with snow plows are shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,280,062, to Milleret al., and in U.S. Pat. No. 5,420,480, to Knepel et al., both of whichare hereby incorporated herein by reference. The Miller et al. referenceshows an auxiliary light wiring harness which plugs into the lightingsystem of the vehicle and provides a switch which allows an operator ofthe vehicle to select either the vehicle headlights or the snow plowheadlights. This system of course has the substantial disadvantage ofrunning extended lengths of wiring through which the electrical currentoperating the headlights must travel, potentially resulting in lossesand diminished brightness from the headlights.

The Knepel et al. shows an automatic headlight switching system whichutilizes relays to perform the function of switching between the vehicleheadlights or the snow plow headlights. A connector is provided toconnect the portion of the wiring harness of the headlight switchingsystem in the vehicle to the portion of the wiring harness on the snowplow. The headlight system detects when the lighting harness of the snowplow is plugged into the wiring harness of the vehicle and actuates therelays to connect the headlights on the snow plow and to disconnect theheadlights on the vehicle.

More recently, there have been several additional systems which may beused to interconnect the lighting system of a vehicle with the wiringsystem of a front-mounted vehicle accessory such as a snow plow.Examples of such systems are shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,005,300, to Kelly,in U.S. Pat. No. 6,265,829, to Perdec, and in U.S. Pat. No. 6,396,210,to Menze, all of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference. TheKelly reference uses a lighting switch connected to an independentcircuit to operate a control module which switches power between thevehicle headlights and the auxiliary headlights. The Perdec referenceuses a microprocessor module which may be wirelessly controlled tocontrol the operation of and switching between the vehicle headlightsand the auxiliary headlights. The Menze reference discloses a headlightadapter system which uses modular wiring harnesses and connectors with aheadlight selector switch to switch power between the vehicle headlightsand auxiliary snow plow headlights.

All of these references have one thing in common in that each of themrequire a switching mechanism of some sort to switch between operationof the vehicle headlights and operation of the auxiliary headlights. Thereason for the requirement of a switch is simple—each of thesereferences adds a wiring harness which is permanently installed in thevehicle, and which plugs into a wiring harness located on thefront-mounted vehicle accessory. Since it is a requirement that thevehicle headlights and the auxiliary headlights not be operatedsimultaneously, at least not with both at full intensity, in order toprevent excessive current drain, these previously known systems eachrequire the use of a switch to select either the vehicle headlights orthe auxiliary headlights.

Some vehicle lighting systems contain a computer that monitors thelighting circuits for at least headlights, and in some instances parkinglights and turn signals as well. In such vehicles, if the right and leftside vehicle harness portions are unplugged with the lights on (eitherturned on manually or in the “auto” position, whether or not the lightsare illuminated by the system), a malfunction may be detected by thevehicle computer. When a predetermined number of these malfunctions hasoccurred, the vehicle must be returned to the dealer to have thecomputer reset, which is costly and takes the vehicle out of servicewhile the computer is being reset. If the problem reoccurs, the computermust be replaced, which is an even more expensive problem.

It is accordingly the primary objective of the present invention that itprovide an independent lighting system for facilitating the operation ofauxiliary headlights which automatically disconnects the vehicleheadlights whenever the auxiliary headlights are connected for operationwith the lighting system of the vehicle. It is a related objective ofthe present invention that it will automatically disconnect the vehicleheadlights and automatically connect the auxiliary headlights when thewiring harness of the front-mounted vehicle accessory is connected tothe wiring harness of the vehicle. It is another related objective ofthe present invention that it eliminate the need for any relays oradditional electronic components to perform a switching function betweenthe vehicle headlights and the auxiliary headlights.

It is a further objective of the present invention that it feature asimplified design which does not require any wiring or other connectionto the passenger compartment of the vehicle in which it is to beinstalled. It is a related objective of the present invention that it berelatively simple and quick to install, and that it does not requireeither advanced knowledge of vehicle electrical systems or special toolsin order to accomplish its installation. It is yet another objective ofthe present invention that it provide sealed connectors to protectagainst the elements to which it will be exposed in operation. It is arelated objective of the present invention that it not rely upon theneed for connector caps to protect its connectors, but rather that iteliminate the need for such caps, thereby precluding the possibility ofsuch caps being lost or misplaced.

The independent lighting system of the present invention must also be ofconstruction which is both durable and long lasting, and it should alsorequire little or no maintenance to be provided by the user throughoutits operating lifetime. In order to enhance the market appeal of theindependent lighting system of the present invention, it should also beof inexpensive construction to thereby afford it the broadest possiblemarket. Finally, it is also an objective that all of the aforesaidadvantages and objectives of the independent lighting system of thepresent invention be achieved without incurring any substantial relativedisadvantage.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The disadvantages and limitations of the background art discussed aboveare overcome by the present invention. With this invention, anindependent lighting system consists of a first wiring harness portionthat is connected to the lights of a conventional vehicle lightingsystem located at the front of the vehicle, and a second wiring harnessportion that is connected to auxiliary lights mounted on a vehicleaccessory such as a snow plow. The lights which are respectivelyconnected to the two wiring harnesses include, at a minimum, theheadlights of the vehicle and auxiliary headlights on the vehicleaccessory.

The headlights of vehicles typically utilize modular connectors, witheach of the headlights having prongs extending from the back sidethereof and the vehicle wiring harness having headlight plugs which areplugged onto the prongs extending from the back side of the headlights.The first harness portion of the independent lighting systems includesconnectors which fit between the headlight plugs and the prongsextending from the back side of the headlights. A headlight connector isplugged onto the prongs extending from the back side of each of theheadlights, replacing the headlight plugs. A headlight power connectoris plugged into each of the headlight plugs, which were plugged onto theprongs extending from the back side of the headlights prior toinstallation of the independent lighting systems of the presentinvention.

In the preferred embodiment, the first harness portion of theindependent lighting systems of the present invention that is located inthe vehicle includes a universal main vehicle harness portion and rightand left auxiliary harness portions which are plugged in to the mainvehicle harness portion (the right auxiliary harness portion(s) is (are)for connection to the headlight on the right side of the vehicle, andthe left auxiliary harness portion(s) is (are) for connection to theheadlight on the left side of the vehicle). The right and left auxiliaryharness portions each have an auxiliary harness connector as well as aheadlight connector and/or a headlight power connector. The auxiliaryharness connectors on the right and left auxiliary harness portions matewith auxiliary harness connectors on the main vehicle harness portion.

The main vehicle harness portion has two additional mating harnessconnectors, with one of the harness connectors being a male harnessconnector and the other of the harness connectors being a female harnessconnector. Prior to installation of the vehicle accessory, the male andfemale harness connectors on the main vehicle harness portion of theindependent lighting systems of the present invention are connectedtogether, and the headlights of the vehicle operate in their normalfashion. It should be noted that if the male and female harnessconnectors on the main vehicle harness portion are not connectedtogether, the headlights of the vehicle will not operate, at least notat their normal intensity.

However, resistors are included to ensure that each of the headlightsare electrically connected to the lighting system of the vehicle,thereby avoiding the occurrence of a vehicle computer-detectedmalfunction if the male and female harness connectors on the mainvehicle harness portions are disconnected with the vehicle lights on.The use of the resistor ensures that energy from the lighting systemwill continue to flow through the lights, thereby preventing the vehiclecomputer from detecting a malfunction in this event. A separate resistormay be used for each of the headlights (separate resistors for each highor low beam on each side of the vehicle), and resistors may also be usedfor the parking lights and/or turn signals if they are to be deactivatedon the vehicle in favor of corresponding lights on the snow plow.

The second harness portion of the independent lighting systems of thepresent invention is connected to headlights mounted on the vehicleaccessory, and in the preferred embodiment the second harness portionincludes right and left halves. The right half of the second harnessportion is connected to a headlight on the right side of the vehicleaccessory, and the left half of the second harness portion is connectedto a headlight on the left side of the vehicle accessory. Each half ofthe second harness portion has a harness connector, with the harnessconnectors on the right and left halves of the second harness portionbeing mating connectors, with one of the harness connectors being a maleharness connector and the other of the harness connectors being a femaleharness connector.

When the vehicle accessory is mounted on the vehicle, the harnessconnectors on main vehicle harness portion in the vehicle aredisconnected from each other, and are respectively connected to theharness connectors on the second harness portion on the vehicleaccessory. In the preferred embodiment, the harness connector on theright side of the second harness portion on the vehicle accessory willbe connected to the main vehicle harness connector corresponding to theright side lighting of the vehicle, and the harness connector on theleft side of the second harness portion on the vehicle accessory will beconnected to the main vehicle harness connector corresponding to theleft side lighting of the vehicle. Since the harness connectors are maleand female mating connectors, it will be appreciated by those skilled inthe art that the proper interconnections of the two harness portionswill be ensured. It will also be appreciated by those skilled in the artthan one of the harness connectors in the second harness portion on thevehicle accessory is male, while the other harness connector in thesecond harness portion is female.

When the first harness portion in the vehicle is so connected to thesecond harness portion on the vehicle accessory, the headlights on thevehicle accessory will be operated by the headlight controls of thevehicle, and the headlights of the vehicle will be disconnected and thuswill not operate. This includes both high beams and low beams of theheadlights. When the vehicle accessory is to be disconnected and removedfrom the vehicle, the first harness portion is disconnected from thesecond harness portion, with the harness connectors in the first harnessportion in the vehicle being connected together to reconnect theheadlights in the vehicle. In addition, the harness connectors in thesecond harness portion on the vehicle accessory may be connectedtogether to protect them from corrosion. In the preferred embodiment,the harness connectors in both of the first and second harness portionsare of weatherproof design and have a sealing construction to protectthem from the elements and corrosion.

In the preferred embodiment of the independent lighting systems of thepresent invention, the first and second harness portions also includewiring and connections to operate parking lights and turn signals on thevehicle accessory when it is installed on the vehicle. Since parkinglights and turn signals on some recent vehicles draw too much current tooperate simultaneously with the parking lights and the turn signals onthe vehicle, the parking lights and the turn signals on the vehicle mayif desired be deactivated when the harness connectors of the firstharness portion are connected to the harness connectors in the secondharness portion, or when the harness connectors in the first harnessportion are disconnected.

There are a number of different embodiments of the independent lightingsystems of the present invention as described herein, with the differentversions being characterized by different auxiliary harness connectors.In all embodiments, the electrically hot connections to the headlightsand optionally the electrically hot connections to the parking lightsand turn signals are interrupted when the first and second harnessportions are connected together. In the various embodiments, both themain vehicle harness as well as the left and right harness portions ofthe vehicle accessory are unchanged irrespective of which vehicle thevehicle accessory is connected to. Only the right and left auxiliaryharnesses need vary from one vehicle to the next.

It may therefore be seen that the present invention teaches independentlighting systems which facilitate the operation of auxiliary headlightsby automatically disconnecting the vehicle headlights whenever theauxiliary headlights are connected for operation with the lightingsystem of the vehicle. The independent lighting systems of the presentinvention completely eliminate the need for any type of switch to choosebetween the vehicle headlights and the auxiliary headlights due to theirdesign that allows the mere connection of the wiring harness of thefront-mounted vehicle accessory to the wiring harness of the vehicle todisconnect the vehicle headlights and to connect the auxiliary. Theindependent lighting systems of the present invention also eliminate theneed for any relays or additional electronic components to perform aswitching function between the vehicle headlights and the auxiliaryheadlights.

The independent lighting systems of the present invention feature asimplified design which does not require any wiring or other connectionto the passenger compartment of the vehicle in which it is installed.The independent lighting systems of the present invention are relativelysimple and quick to install, and they require neither advanced knowledgeof vehicle electrical systems nor special tools in order to accomplishits installation. The independent lighting systems of the presentinvention provide sealed connectors to protect against the elements towhich they will be exposed in operation, and do not rely upon the needfor connector caps to protect their connectors, but rather eliminate theneed for such caps entirely, thereby precluding the possibility of theirloss or misplacement.

The independent lighting systems of the present invention are of aconstruction which is both durable and long lasting, and will requirelittle or no maintenance to be provided by the user throughout itsoperating lifetime. The independent lighting systems of the presentinvention are also of inexpensive construction to enhance their marketappeal and to thereby afford them the broadest possible market. Finally,all of the aforesaid advantages and objectives of the independentlighting systems of the present invention are achieved without incurringany substantial relative disadvantage.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other advantages of the present invention are best understoodwith reference to the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic depiction of a portion of a conventional vehiclelighting system showing the lights located at the front of the vehicle,and also showing connectors which are used to connect the two headlightsto the vehicle lighting system to provide power to the headlights;

FIG. 2 is a schematic depiction of auxiliary lights located on a vehicleaccessory which must be connected to the vehicle lighting system shownin FIG. 1 to operate the auxiliary lights;

FIG. 3 is a schematic depiction of a first embodiment of an independentlighting system which is constructed to connect and operate theauxiliary lights located on a vehicle accessory shown in FIG. 2 to thevehicle lighting system shown in FIG. 1, with the auxiliary lights notconnected to the vehicle lighting system;

FIG. 4 is a schematic depiction of the first embodiment independentlighting system illustrated in FIG. 3, but with the auxiliary lightsconnected to the vehicle lighting system;

FIG. 5 is a schematic depiction of a second embodiment of an independentlighting system which is constructed to connect and operate theauxiliary lights located on a vehicle accessory shown in FIG. 2 to thevehicle lighting system shown in FIG. 1, with the auxiliary lights notconnected to the vehicle lighting system;

FIG. 6 is a schematic depiction of the second embodiment independentlighting system illustrated in FIG. 5, but with the auxiliary lightsconnected to the vehicle lighting system;

FIG. 7 is a schematic depiction of a third embodiment of an independentlighting system which is constructed to connect and operate theauxiliary lights located on a vehicle accessory shown in FIG. 2 to thevehicle lighting system shown in FIG. 1, with the auxiliary lights notconnected to the vehicle lighting system;

FIG. 8 is a schematic depiction of the third embodiment independentlighting system illustrated in FIG. 7, but with the auxiliary lightsconnected to the vehicle lighting system;

FIG. 9 is a schematic depiction of a fourth embodiment of an independentlighting system which is constructed to connect and operate theauxiliary lights located on a vehicle accessory shown in FIG. 2 to avehicle lighting system like that shown in FIG. 1 but optionally withoutvehicle ground used as the common for the vehicle headlights, with theauxiliary lights not connected to the vehicle lighting system;

FIG. 10 is a schematic depiction of the fourth embodiment independentlighting system illustrated in FIG. 9, but with the auxiliary lightsconnected to the vehicle lighting system;

FIG. 11 is a schematic depiction of an alternate embodiment of anindependent lighting system which is constructed to connect and operatethe auxiliary lights located on a vehicle accessory shown in FIG. 2 tolike that shown in FIG. 1 but optionally without vehicle ground used asthe common for the vehicle headlights, with the auxiliary lights notconnected to the vehicle lighting system;

FIG. 12 is a schematic depiction of the alternate embodiment independentlighting system illustrated in FIG. 9, but with the auxiliary lightsconnected to the vehicle lighting system;

FIG. 13 is an isometric view showing the independent lighting systeminstalled intermediate the lights of a conventional vehicle lightingsystem that are located at the front of the vehicle and the auxiliarylights of a vehicle accessory for installation onto the front of thevehicle;

FIG. 14 is an embodiment of an independent lighting energy interruptionsystem that will connect and operate the auxiliary lights located on avehicle accessory shown in FIG. 2 to the vehicle lighting system shownin FIG. 1, with the auxiliary lights not connected to the vehiclelighting system;

FIG. 15 is a schematic depiction of the embodiment of the independentlighting energy interruption system illustrated in FIG. 14, but with theauxiliary lights connected to the vehicle lighting system;

FIG. 16 is another embodiment of an independent lighting energyinterruption system that will connect and operate the auxiliary lightslocated on a vehicle accessory shown in FIG. 2 to a vehicle lightingsystem having modular connectors used with combined high beam/low beamheadlights, with the auxiliary lights not connected to the vehiclelighting system;

FIG. 17 is still another embodiment of an independent lighting energyinterruption system that will connect and operate the auxiliary lightslocated on a vehicle accessory shown in FIG. 2 to a vehicle lightingsystem having separate headlight bulbs and separate modular connectorsfor high and low beams, with the auxiliary lights not connected to thevehicle lighting system;

FIG. 18 is yet another embodiment of an independent lighting energyinterruption system that will connect and operate the auxiliary lightslocated on a vehicle accessory shown in FIG. 2 to the vehicle lightingsystem having separate headlight bulbs and separate modular connectorsfor high and low beams as well as having separate marker bulbs and turnsignal bulbs and separate modular connectors for the marker bulbs andthe turn signal bulbs, with the auxiliary lights not connected to thevehicle lighting system;

FIG. 19 is an isometric view showing the independent lighting energyinterruption system as illustrated in FIG. 18 installed intermediate thelights of a conventional vehicle lighting system that are located at thefront of the vehicle and the auxiliary lights of a vehicle accessory forinstallation onto the front of the vehicle;

FIG. 20 is an embodiment of a reconfigurable independent lighting energyinterruption system that will connect and operate the auxiliary lightslocated on a vehicle accessory shown in FIG. 2 to the vehicle lightingsystem shown in FIG. 1, with the auxiliary lights not connected to thevehicle lighting system;

FIG. 21 is another embodiment of a reconfigurable independent lightingenergy interruption system that will connect and operate the auxiliarylights located on a vehicle accessory shown in FIG. 2 to a vehiclelighting system having modular connectors used with combined highbeam/low beam headlights, with the auxiliary lights not connected to thevehicle lighting system;

FIG. 22 is still another embodiment of a reconfigurable independentlighting energy interruption system that will connect and operate theauxiliary lights located on a vehicle accessory shown in FIG. 2 to avehicle lighting system having separate headlight bulbs and separatemodular connectors for high and low beams, with the auxiliary lights notconnected to the vehicle lighting system;

FIG. 23 is yet another embodiment of a reconfigurable independentlighting energy interruption system that will connect and operate theauxiliary lights located on a vehicle accessory shown in FIG. 2 to thevehicle lighting system having separate headlight bulbs and separatemodular connectors for high and low beams as well as having separatemarker bulbs and turn signal bulbs and separate modular connectors forthe marker bulbs and the turn signal bulbs, with the auxiliary lightsnot connected to the vehicle lighting system;

FIG. 24 is an isometric view showing the reconfigurable independentlighting energy interruption system as illustrated in FIG. 23 installedintermediate the lights of a conventional vehicle lighting system thatare located at the front of the vehicle and the auxiliary lights of avehicle accessory for installation onto the front of the vehicle;

FIG. 25 is an alternate embodiment reconfigurable independent lightingenergy interruption system for use in certain late-model trucks havingdirect interface light wiring harnesses, which is constructed to connectand operate the auxiliary lights located on a vehicle accessory shown inFIG. 2 to a vehicle lighting system having separate headlight bulbs andseparate modular connectors for high and low beams, with the auxiliarylights not connected to the vehicle lighting system;

FIG. 26 is an isometric view showing a reconfigurable independentlighting energy interruption system as illustrated in FIG. 25 installedintermediate the lights of a conventional vehicle lighting system thatare located at the front of the vehicle and the auxiliary lights of avehicle accessory for installation onto the front of the vehicle;

FIG. 27 is a schematic depiction of the independent lighting systemshown in FIG. 5, with resistors added to prevent a computer malfunctionfrom occurring;

FIG. 28 is a schematic depiction of the independent lighting systemshown in FIG. 11, with resistors added to prevent a computer malfunctionfrom occurring;

FIG. 29 is a schematic depiction of the independent lighting systemshown in FIG. 18, with resistors added to prevent a computer malfunctionfrom occurring;

FIG. 30 is a schematic depiction of the independent lighting systemshown in FIG. 23, with resistors added to prevent a computer malfunctionfrom occurring; and

FIG. 31 is a schematic depiction of the independent lighting systemshown in FIG. 25, with resistors added to prevent a computer malfunctionfrom occurring.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Prior to a description of the present invention, it is helpful tobriefly review several of the principal elements of lighting systemsused in vehicles and vehicle accessories, and a few features of theircommon construction. Referring first to FIG. 1, the lights of aconventional vehicle lighting system which are located at the front of avehicle 30 are illustrated, together with their connection to theelectrical system of the vehicle 30. A headlight 32 having a connectorelement 34 (typically prongs extending from the back side thereof) islocated on the right side of the vehicle 30 and a headlight 36 having aconnector element 38 (also typically prongs extending from the back sidethereof) is located on the left side of the vehicle 30.

A headlight plug 40 is shown for connection to the connector element 34on the headlight 32, and a headlight plug 42 is shown for connection tothe connector element 38 on the headlight 36. The headlight plugs 40 and42 are shown as each being electrically connected to a high beam feed (ahigh beam electrically hot connection), a low beam feed (a low beamelectrically hot connection), and a vehicle ground. The high beam feedand the vehicle ground are both connected to a high beam filament ineach of the headlights 32 and 36, and the low beam feed and the vehicleground are both connected to a low beam filament in each of theheadlights 32 and 36.

Also included in the vehicle 30 is a parking/turn light 44 on the rightside of the vehicle 30 and a parking/turn light 46 on the left side ofthe vehicle 30. The parking/turn lights 44 and 46 are shown as eachbeing electrically connected to a parking light feed (a parking lightelectrically hot connection), a turn signal feed (a turn signalelectrically hot connection), and the vehicle ground. The parking lightfeed and the vehicle ground are both connected to a parking lightfilament in each of the parking/turn lights 44 and 46, the right turnsignal feed and the vehicle ground are connected to a turn signalfilament in the parking/turn light 44, and the left turn signal feed andthe vehicle ground are connected to a turn signal filament in theparking/turn light 46.

Referring next to FIG. 2, the auxiliary lights located on a vehicleaccessory 50 to be operated by the vehicle lighting system of thevehicle 30 (shown in FIG. 1) are illustrated, together with connectionsto be made to the electrical system of the vehicle 30 to operate them. Aheadlight 52 is located on the right side of the vehicle accessory 50and a headlight 54 is located on the left side of the vehicle accessory50. The headlights 52 and 54 are shown as each being electricallyconnected to a vehicle high beam feed (a high beam electrically hotconnection from the vehicle 30), a vehicle low beam feed (a low beamelectrically hot connection from the vehicle 30), and a vehicle ground(from the vehicle 30). The vehicle high beam feed and the vehicle groundare both connected to a high beam filament in each of the headlights 52and 54, and the vehicle low beam feed and the vehicle ground are bothconnected to a low beam filament in each of the headlights 52 and 54.

Also included in the vehicle accessory 50 is a parking/turn light 56 onthe right side of the vehicle accessory 50 and a parking/turn light 58on the left side of the vehicle accessory 50. The parking/turn lights 56and 58 are shown as each being electrically connected to a vehicleparking light feed (a parking light electrically hot connection from thevehicle 30), a vehicle turn signal feed (a turn signal electrically hotconnection from the vehicle 30), and the vehicle ground (from thevehicle 30). The vehicle parking light feed and the vehicle ground areboth connected to a parking light filament in each of the parking/turnlights 56 and 58, the vehicle right turn signal feed and the vehicleground are connected to a turn signal filament in the parking/turn light56, and the vehicle left turn signal feed and the vehicle ground areconnected to a turn signal filament in the parking/turn light 58.

The systems of the present invention include modular harness portionswhich are for installation into the lighting system of the vehicle 30,and a harness portion which is for installation into the auxiliarylighting system of the vehicle accessory 50. The vehicle harnessportions will be connected to the electrical wiring operating theheadlights 32 and 34 by inserting elements of the vehicle harnessportions between the connector element 34 of the headlight 32 and theheadlight plug 40, and between the connector element 38 of the headlight36 and the headlight plug 42 (all of which are shown in FIG. 1). In thepreferred embodiments, the vehicle harness portions will also beinstalled into the electrical wiring operating the parking/turn lights44 and 46.

The vehicle harness portions in the vehicle 30 have a firstconfiguration when it they are not connected to the accessory harnessportion in the vehicle accessory 50, and a second configuration whenthey are connected to the accessory harness portion in the vehicleaccessory 50. In the first configuration, the vehicle harness portionswill allow the headlights 32 and 36 in the vehicle 30 to operate, but inthe second configuration, the vehicle harness portions will not allowthe headlights 32 and 36 in the vehicle 30 to operate. Instead, theheadlights 52 and 54 in the vehicle accessory 50 will be allowed tooperate. Changes between the two configurations are accomplished by theindependent lighting system without using a single switch or relay.

A first series of embodiments of the independent lighting systemdescribed in the first above-identified parent patent application isshown in three embodiments in FIGS. 3 and 4, FIGS. 5 and 6, and FIGS. 7and 8, respectively. In each of these three embodiments, the vehicleharness portions in the vehicle 30 consist of right and left halves,each of which has a harness connector. Similarly the accessory harnessportion in the vehicle accessory 50 also consists of right and lefthalves, each of which has a harness connector.

In each of these three embodiments, the harness connectors on the rightand left halves of the first harness portion are different halves of amating pair. Likewise, the harness connectors on the right and lefthalves of the second harness portion are different halves of a matingpair of the same design as the harness connectors of the first harnessportion. In the first configuration of the first harness portion, theharness connector on the right half of the first harness portion isconnected to the harness connector on the left half of the first harnessportion. In the second configuration of the first harness portion, theharness connector on the right half of the first harness portion isconnected to the harness connector on the right half of the secondharness portion, and the harness connector on the left half of the firstharness portion is connected to the harness connector on the left halfof the second harness portion.

The harness connectors may be, for example, sealed connectors such asthe MX150 series environmentally sealed connectors available from Molex,Inc. of Lisle, Ill. The MX150 connector has connector housings withintegrated two-way sealing to form a seal between mating connectors andan integral releasable locking latch to assure positive mating of theconnector halves. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the artthat when the harness connectors on the right and left sides of thefirst harness portion in the vehicle 30 are connected together in thefirst configuration, the right and left connectors of the second harnessportion in the vehicle accessory 50 can also be connected together toprotect them from exposure to the elements. Thus, in both the firstconfiguration and in the second configuration, all four of the harnessconnectors on the first and second harness portions are protected,without requiring the use of sealing caps.

Referring first to FIG. 3, a first version of the independent lightingsystem is shown in the first configuration (which is used when thevehicle accessory 50 is not connected to the vehicle 30). The firstharness portion consists of a right side first harness portion 60 and aleft side first harness portion 62, and the second harness portionconsists of a right side second harness portion 64 and a left sidesecond harness portion 66. The right side first harness portion 60includes a headlight connector 68 which is connected to the connectorelement 34 of the headlight 32, a headlight power connector 70 which isconnected to the headlight plug 40, and a right side first harnessconnector 72. The left side first harness portion 62 includes aheadlight connector 74 which is connected to the connector element 38 ofthe headlight 36, a headlight power connector 76 which is connected tothe headlight plug 42, and a left side first harness connector 78.

The right side second harness portion 64 has a right side second harnessconnector 80, and the left side second harness portion 66 has a leftside second harness connector 82. The right side first harness connector72 will mate with the left side first harness connector 78 or with theright side second harness connector 80, but not with the left sidesecond harness connector 82. The left side first harness connector 78will mate with the right side first harness connector 72 or with theleft side second harness connector 82, but not with the right sidesecond harness connector 80. The right side second harness connector 80and the left side second harness connector 82 will also mate with eachother. In FIGS. 3 and 4, the right side first harness connector 72 andthe left side second harness connector 82 are female connectors, and theleft side first harness connector 78 and the right side second harnessconnector 80 are male connectors, but this configuration could bereversed.

In the first version of the independent lighting system shown in FIGS. 3and 4, the right side first harness connector 72, the left side firstharness connector 78, the right side second harness connector 80, andthe left side second harness connector 82 are all nine-pin connectors.With regard to the right side first harness connector 72, pins 1, 3, and5 are respectively connected to the headlight power connector 70 as thelow beam feed, the high beam feed, and the vehicle ground. Pins 2, 4,and 9 of the right side first harness connector 72 are respectivelyconnected to the headlight connector 68 as the high beam lead, thecommon (ground) lead, and the low beam lead. Pin 7 of the right sidefirst harness connector 72 is connected to the right turn signal feedusing a right turn signal feed tap 84, and pin 8 of the right side firstharness connector 72 is connected to the parking light feed using aparking light feed tap 86.

With regard to the left side first harness connector 78, Pins 1, 3, and5 are respectively connected to the headlight connector 74 as the lowbeam lead, the high beam lead, and the common (ground) lead. Pins 2, 4,and 9 of the left side first harness connector 78 are respectivelyconnected to the headlight power connector 76 as the high beam feed, thevehicle ground, and the low beam feed. Pin 6 of the left side firstharness connector 78 is connected to the left turn signal feed using aleft turn signal feed tap 88, and Pin 8 of the left side first harnessconnector 78 is connected to the parking light feed using a parkinglight feed tap 90.

With regard to the right side second harness connector 80, Pin 1 isconnected to the low beam lead of the headlight 52, Pin 3 is connectedto the high beam lead of the headlight 52, Pin 5 is connected to thecommon (ground) leads of both the headlight 52 and the parking/turnlight 56, Pin 7 is connected to the right turn signal lead of theparking/turn light 56, and Pin 8 is connected to the parking light feedof the parking/turn light 56. With regard to the left side secondharness connector 82, Pin 2 is connected to the high beam lead of theheadlight 54, Pin 4 is connected to the common (ground) leads of boththe headlight 54 and the parking/turn light 58, Pin 6 is connected to isconnected to the left turn signal lead of the parking/turn light 58, Pin8 is connected to the parking light feed of the parking/turn light 58,and Pin 9 is connected to the low beam lead of the headlight 54.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the firstversion of the independent lighting system illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4switches both the hot leads and the common leads from the headlights 32and 36 of the vehicle 30 to the headlights 52 and 54 of the vehicleaccessory 50. When the right side first harness connector 72 and theleft side first harness connector 78 are connected together as shown inFIG. 3, the headlights 32 and 36 of the vehicle 30 will be operative. Ifthe right side first harness connector 72 and the left side firstharness connector 78 are not connected to each other, the headlights 32and 36 of the vehicle 30 will be inoperative.

Referring now to FIG. 4, the first version of the independent lightingsystem is shown in the second configuration (which is used when thevehicle accessory 50 is connected to the vehicle 30). When the rightside first harness connector 72 is connected to the right side secondharness connector 80 and the left side first harness connector 78 isconnected to the left side second harness connector 82, the headlights52 and 54 of the vehicle accessory 50 will be operative, and theheadlights 32 and 36 of the vehicle 30 will not be operative.

Referring next to FIG. 5, a second version of the independent lightingsystem is shown in the first configuration (which is used when thevehicle accessory 50 is not connected to the vehicle 30). The firstharness portion consists of a right side first harness portion 100 and aleft side first harness portion 102, and the second harness portionconsists of a right side second harness portion 104 and a left sidesecond harness portion 106. The right side first harness portion 100includes a headlight connector 108 which is connected to the connectorelement 34 of the headlight 32, a headlight power connector 110 which isconnected to the headlight plug 40, and a right side first harnessconnector 112. The left side first harness portion 102 includes aheadlight connector 114 which is connected to the connector element 38of the headlight 36, a headlight power connector 116 which is connectedto the headlight plug 42, and a left side first harness connector 118.

The right side second harness portion 104 has a right side secondharness connector 120, and the left side second harness portion 106 hasa left side second harness connector 122. The right side first harnessconnector 112 will mate with the left side first harness connector 118or with the right side second harness connector 120, but not with theleft side second harness connector 122. The left side first harnessconnector 118 will mate with the right side first harness connector 112or with the left side second harness connector 122, but not with theright side second harness connector 120. The right side second harnessconnector 120 and the left side second harness connector 122 will alsomate with each other. In FIGS. 5 and 6, the right side first harnessconnector 112 and the left side second harness connector 122 are femaleconnectors, and the left side first harness connector 118 and the rightside second harness connector 120 are male connectors, but thisconfiguration could be reversed.

In the second version of the independent lighting system shown in FIGS.5 and 6, the right side first harness connector 112, the left side firstharness connector 118, the right side second harness connector 120, andthe left side second harness connector 122 are all eight-pin connectors.With regard to the right side first harness connector 112, pins 1 and 3are respectively connected to the headlight power connector 110 as thehigh beam feed and the low beam feed. Pins 2 and 4 of the right sidefirst harness connector 112 are respectively connected to the headlightconnector 108 as the high beam lead and the low beam lead. Pin 5 of theright side first harness connector 112 is connected to both theheadlight connector 108 as the common (ground) lead and to the headlightpower connector 110 as the vehicle ground. Pin 7 of the right side firstharness connector 112 is connected to the right turn signal feed using aright turn signal feed tap 124, and pin 8 of the right side firstharness connector 112 is connected to the parking light feed using aparking light feed tap 126.

With regard to the left side first harness connector 118, pins 1 and 3are respectively connected to the headlight connector 114 as the highbeam lead and the low beam lead. Pins 2 and 4 of the left side firstharness connector 118 are respectively connected to the headlight powerconnector 116 as the high beam feed and the low beam feed. Pin 5 of theleft side first harness connector 118 is connected to both the headlightconnector 114 as the common (ground) lead and to the headlight powerconnector 116 as the vehicle ground. Pin 6 of the left side firstharness connector 118 is connected to the left turn signal feed using aleft turn signal feed tap 128, and pin 8 of the left side first harnessconnector 118 is connected to the parking light feed using a parkinglight feed tap 130.

With regard to the right side second harness connector 120, pin 1 isconnected to the high beam lead of the headlight 52, pin 3 is connectedto the low beam lead of the headlight 52, pin 5 is connected to thecommon (ground) leads of both the headlight 52 and the parking/turnlight 56, pin 7 is connected to the right turn signal lead of theparking/turn light 56, and pin 8 is connected to the parking light feedof the parking/turn light 56. With regard to the left side secondharness connector 122, pin 2 is connected to the high beam lead of theheadlight 54, pin 4 is connected to the low beam lead of the headlight54, pin 5 is connected to the common (ground) leads of both theheadlight 54 and the parking/turn light 58, pin 6 is connected to theleft turn signal lead of the parking/turn light 58, and pin 8 isconnected to the parking light feed of the parking/turn light 58.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the secondversion of the independent lighting system illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6switches only the hot leads from the headlights 32 and 36 of the vehicle30 to the headlights 52 and 54 of the vehicle accessory 50. When theright side first harness connector 112 and the left side first harnessconnector 118 are connected together as shown in FIG. 5, the headlights32 and 36 of the vehicle 30 will be operative. If the right side firstharness connector 112 and the left side first harness connector 118 arenot connected to each other, the headlights 32 and 36 of the vehicle 30will be inoperative.

Referring now to FIG. 6, the second version of the independent lightingsystem is shown in the second configuration (which is used when thevehicle accessory 50 is connected to the vehicle 30). When the rightside first harness connector 112 is connected to the right side secondharness connector 120 and the left side first harness connector 118 isconnected to the left side second harness connector 122, the headlights52 and 54 of the vehicle accessory 50 will be operative, and theheadlights 32 and 36 of the vehicle 30 will not be operative.

Referring next to FIG. 7, a third version of the independent lightingsystem is shown in the first configuration (which is used when thevehicle accessory 50 is not connected to the vehicle 30). The firstharness portion consists of a right side first harness portion 140 and aleft side first harness portion 142, and the second harness portionconsists of a right side second harness portion 144 and a left sidesecond harness portion 146. The right side first harness portion 140includes a headlight connector 148 which is connected to the connectorelement 34 of the headlight 32, a headlight power connector 150 which isconnected to the headlight plug 40, and a right side first harnessconnector 152. The left side first harness portion 142 includes aheadlight connector 154 which is connected to the connector element 38of the headlight 36, a headlight power connector 156 which is connectedto the headlight plug 42, and a left side first harness connector 158.

The right side second harness portion 144 has a right side secondharness connector 160, and the left side second harness portion 146 hasa left side second harness connector 162. The right side first harnessconnector 152 will mate with the left side first harness connector 158or with the right side second harness connector 160, but not with theleft side second harness connector 162. The left side first harnessconnector 158 will mate with the right side first harness connector 152or with the left side second harness connector 162, but not with theright side second harness connector 160. The right side second harnessconnector 160 and the left side second harness connector 162 will alsomate with each other. In FIGS. 7 and 8, the right side first harnessconnector 152 and the left side second harness connector 162 are femaleconnectors, and the left side first harness connector 158 and the rightside second harness connector 160 are male connectors, but thisconfiguration could be reversed.

In the third version of the independent lighting system shown in FIGS. 7and 8, the right side first harness connector 152, the left side firstharness connector 158, the right side second harness connector 160, andthe left side second harness connector 162 are all seven-pin connectors.With regard to the right side first harness connector 152, pin 3 isconnected to the headlight connector 148 as the common (ground) lead,and pin 4 is connected to the headlight power connector 150 as thevehicle ground. Pin 1 is connected both to the headlight connector 148as the high beam lead and to the headlight power connector 150 as thehigh beam feed. Pin 2 is connected both to the headlight connector 148as the low beam lead and to the headlight power connector 150 as the lowbeam feed. Pin 6 of the right side first harness connector 152 isconnected to the right turn signal feed using a right turn signal feedtap 164, and pin 7 of the right side first harness connector 152 isconnected to the parking light feed using a parking light feed tap 166.

With regard to the left side first harness connector 158, pin 3 isconnected to the headlight power connector 156 as the vehicle ground,and pin 4 is connected to the headlight connector 154 as the common(ground) lead. Pin 1 is connected both to the headlight connector 154 asthe high beam lead and to the headlight power connector 156 as the highbeam feed. Pin 2 is connected both to the headlight connector 154 as thelow beam lead and to the headlight power connector 156 as the low beamfeed. Pin 5 of the left side first harness connector 158 is connected tothe left turn signal feed using a left turn signal feed tap 168, and pin7 of the left side first harness connector 158 is connected to theparking light feed using a parking light feed tap 170.

It will be noted that there are also four diodes 172, 174, 176, and 178which are used in the version of the independent lighting system shownin FIGS. 7 and 8. The diode 172 is located with its cathode connected tothe high beam lead of the headlight connector 148 and its anodeconnected to the high beam feed of the headlight power connector 150.The diode 174 is located with its cathode connected to the low beam leadof the headlight connector 148 and its anode connected to the low beamfeed of the headlight power connector 150. The diode 176 is located withits cathode connected to the high beam lead of the headlight connector154 and its anode connected to the high beam feed of the headlight powerconnector 156. The diode 178 is located with its cathode connected tothe low beam lead of the headlight connector 154 and its anode connectedto the low beam feed of the headlight power connector 156.

With regard to the right side second harness connector 160, pin 1 isconnected to the high beam lead of the headlight 52, pin 2 is connectedto the low beam lead of the headlight 52, pin 4 is connected to thecommon (ground) leads of both the headlight 52 and the parking/turnlight 56, pin 6 is connected to the right turn signal lead of theparking/turn light 56, and pin 7 is connected to the parking light feedof the parking/turn light 56. With regard to the left side secondharness connector 162, pin 1 is connected to the high beam lead of theheadlight 54, pin 2 is connected to the low beam lead of the headlight54, pin 3 is connected to the common (ground) leads of both theheadlight 54 and the parking/turn light 58, pin 5 is connected to isconnected to the left turn signal lead of the parking/turn light 58, pin7 is connected to the parking light feed of the parking/turn light 58.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the thirdversion of the independent lighting system illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8switches only the common leads from the headlights 32 and 36 of thevehicle 30 to the headlights 52 and 54 of the vehicle accessory 50. Whenthe right side first harness connector 152 and the left side firstharness connector 158 are connected together as shown in FIG. 7, theheadlights 32 and 36 of the vehicle 30 will be operative. If the rightside first harness connector 152 and the left side first harnessconnector 158 are not connected to each other, the headlights 32 and 36of the vehicle 30 will be inoperative.

The diodes 172, 174, 176, and 178 act to prevent reverse current pathsthrough the high and low beams of the headlights 32 and 36 of thevehicle 30 and the nonoperated one of the high and low beam bulbs ineach of the headlights 52 and 54 of the vehicle accessory 50. Withoutthe diodes 172, 174, 176, and 178, the high and low beams of theheadlights 32 and 36 of the vehicle 30 and the nonoperated one of thehigh and low beam bulbs in each of the headlights 52 and 54 of thevehicle accessory 50 will all be dimly illuminated whenever the otherone of headlights 52 and 54 of the vehicle accessory 50, resulting in ahigher level of current drain.

Referring now to FIG. 8, the third version of the independent lightingsystem is shown in the second configuration (which is used when thevehicle accessory 50 is connected to the vehicle 30). When the rightside first harness connector 152 is connected to the right side secondharness connector 160 and the left side first harness connector 158 isconnected to the left side second harness connector 162, the headlights52 and 54 of the vehicle accessory 50 will be operative, and theheadlights 32 and 36 of the vehicle 30 will not be operative.

Referring next to FIG. 9, a fourth version of the independent lightingsystem is shown in the first configuration (which is used when thevehicle accessory 50 is not connected to a vehicle 30′). This version isdesigned to work on either the conventional vehicle 30 shown in FIG. 2,or on the vehicle 30′ which (unlike the conventional vehicle 30 shown inFIG. 2) does not use the vehicle ground as the common lead for thevehicle headlights. Such vehicles may use the vehicle power as thecommon lead, in which case the common lead from the headlight controlsand the ground lead from the parking/turn lights cannot be connectedtogether as is the case in the first, second, and third versionsrespectively illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, FIGS. 5 and 6, and FIGS. 7and 8.

The first harness portion consists of a right side first harness portion180 and a left side first harness portion 182, and the second harnessportion consists of a right side second harness portion 184 and a leftside second harness portion 186. The right side first harness portion180 includes a headlight connector 188 which is connected to theconnector element 34 of the headlight 32, a headlight power connector190 which is connected to the headlight plug 40, and a right side firstharness connector 192. The left side first harness portion 182 includesa headlight connector 194 which is connected to the connector element 38of the headlight 36, a headlight power connector 196 which is connectedto the headlight plug 42, and a left side first harness connector 198.

The right side second harness portion 184 has a right side secondharness connector 200, and the left side second harness portion 186 hasa left side second harness connector 202. The right side first harnessconnector 192 will mate with the left side first harness connector 198or with the right side second harness connector 200, but not with theleft side second harness connector 202. The left side first harnessconnector 198 will mate with the right side first harness connector 192or with the left side second harness connector 202, but not with theright side second harness connector 200. The right side second harnessconnector 200 and the left side second harness connector 202 will alsomate with each other. In FIGS. 9 and 10, the right side first harnessconnector 192 and the left side second harness connector 202 are femaleconnectors, and the left side first harness connector 198 and the rightside second harness connector 200 are male connectors, but thisconfiguration could be reversed.

In the fourth embodiment of the independent lighting system shown inFIGS. 9 and 10, the right side first harness connector 192, the leftside first harness connector 198, the right side second harnessconnector 200, and the left side second harness connector 202 are allten-pin connectors. With regard to the right side first harnessconnector 192, Pin 1 is connected to the headlight power connector 190as the low beam feed, pin 3 is connected to the headlight powerconnector 190 as the high beam feed, and Pin 5 is connected to theheadlight power connector 190 as the common feed. Pin 2 is connected tothe headlight connector 188 as the high beam lead, Pin 4 is connected tothe headlight connector 188 as the common lead, and Pin 9 is connectedto the headlight connector 188 as the low beam feed. Pin 7 is connectedto the right turn signal feed using a right turn signal feed tap 204,Pin 8 is connected to the right parking light feed using a right parkinglight feed tap 206, and Pin 10 is connected to the right parking/turnlight ground feed using a right parking/turn light ground feed tap 208.

With regard to the left side first harness connector 198, Pin 2 isconnected to the headlight power connector 196 as the high beam feed,pin 4 is connected to the headlight power connector 196 as the commonfeed, and Pin 9 is connected to the headlight power connector 196 as thelow beam feed. Pin 1 is connected to the headlight connector 194 as thelow beam lead, Pin 3 is connected to the headlight connector 194 as thehigh beam lead, and Pin 5 is connected to the headlight connector 194 asthe common feed. Pin 6 is connected to the left turn signal feed using aleft turn signal feed tap 210, Pin 8 is connected to the left parkinglight feed using a left parking light feed tap 212, and Pin 10 isconnected to the left parking/turn light ground feed using a leftparking/turn light ground feed tap 214.

With regard to the right side second harness connector 200, Pin 1 isconnected to the low beam lead of the headlight 52, Pin 3 is connectedto the high beam lead of the headlight 52, Pin 5 is connected to thecommon lead of the headlight 52, Pin 7 is connected to the right turnsignal lead of the parking/turn light 56, Pin 8 is connected to theparking light feed of the parking/turn light 56, and Pin 10 is connectedto the common lead of the parking/turn light 56. With regard to the leftside second harness connector 202, Pin 2 is connected to the high beamlead of the headlight 54, Pin 4 is connected to the common lead of theheadlight 54, Pin 9 is connected to the low beam lead of the headlight54, Pin 6 is connected to is connected to the left turn signal lead ofthe parking/turn light 58, Pin 8 is connected to the parking light feedof the parking/turn light 58, and Pin 10 is connected to the common leadof the parking/turn light 58.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the fourthversion of the independent lighting system illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10switches both the hot leads and the common leads from the headlights 32and 36 of the vehicle 30′ to the headlights 52 and 54 of the vehicleaccessory 50, and also independently connects the hot leads and thecommon leads from the parking/turn lights 44 and 46 of the vehicle 30′to the parking/turn lights 56 and 58 of the vehicle accessory 50. Whenthe right side first harness connector 192 and the left side firstharness connector 198 are connected together as shown in FIG. 9, theheadlights 32 and 36 of the vehicle 30′ will be operative. If the rightside first harness connector 192 and the left side first harnessconnector 198 are not connected to each other, the headlights 32 and 36of the vehicle 30′ will be inoperative.

Referring now to FIG. 10, the fourth version of the independent lightingsystem is shown in the second configuration (which is used when thevehicle accessory 50 is connected to the vehicle 30′). When the rightside first harness connector 192 is connected to the right side secondharness connector 200 and the left side first harness connector 198 isconnected to the left side second harness connector 202, the headlights52 and 54 of the vehicle accessory 50 will be operative, and theheadlights 32 and 36 of the vehicle 30′ will not be operative.

An alternate embodiment of the independent lighting system is shown inFIGS. 11 and 12. In this alternate embodiment, there is a single firstharness portion 220 which is located in the vehicle 30′ and a singlesecond harness portion 222 which is located on the vehicle accessory 50,and each contains only a single harness connector. This version is alsodesigned to work on either the conventional vehicle 30 shown in FIG. 2,or on the vehicle 30′ which (unlike the conventional vehicle 30 shown inFIG. 2) does not use the vehicle ground as the common lead for thevehicle headlights.

The first harness portion 220 includes a headlight connector 224 whichis connected to the connector element 34 of the headlight 32, aheadlight power connector 226 which is connected to the headlight plug40, a headlight connector 228 which is connected to the connectorelement 38 of the headlight 36, a headlight power connector 230 which isconnected to the headlight plug 42, and a first harness connector 232.The second harness portion 222 has a second harness connector 234.

Also included in the alternate embodiment illustrated in FIG. 11 is ajumpered connector 236. The first harness connector 232 will mate withthe jumpered connector 236 or with the second harness connector 234. InFIGS. 11 and 12, the first harness connector 232 is a female connectorand the second harness connector 234 and the jumpered connector 236 aremale connectors, but this configuration could be reversed.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the first harness connector232, the second harness connector 234, and the jumpered connector 236are each sixteen-pin connectors. With regard to the first harnessconnector 232, Pin 1 is connected to the headlight connector 224 as thelow beam lead, Pin 2 is connected to the headlight connector 224 as thecommon lead, and Pin 3 is connected to the headlight connector 224 asthe high beam lead. Pin 6 is connected to the headlight power connector226 as the high beam feed, Pin 7 is connected to the headlight powerconnector 226 as the common feed, and Pin 8 is connected to theheadlight power connector 226 as the low beam feed.

Pin 14 is connected to the headlight connector 228 as the low beam lead,Pin 15 is connected to the headlight connector 228 as the common lead,and Pin 16 is connected to the headlight connector 228 as the high beamlead. Pin 9 is connected to the headlight power connector 230 as thehigh beam feed, Pin 10 is connected to the headlight power connector 230as the common feed, and Pin 11 is connected to the headlight powerconnector 230 as the low beam feed.

Pin 5 is connected to the right turn signal feed using a right turnsignal feed tap 238, and Pin 13 is connected to the left turn signalfeed using a left turn signal feed tap 240. Pin 12 is connected to theleft parking light feed using a parking light feed tap 242 (but couldalternately be connected to the right parking light feed instead). Pin 4is connected to the right parking/turn light ground feed using aparking/turn light ground feed tap 244 (but could alternately beconnected to the left parking/turn light ground feed instead).

With regard to the second harness connector 234, Pin 6 is connected tothe high beam lead of the headlight 52, Pin 7 is connected to the commonlead of the headlight 52, and Pin 8 is connected to the low beam lead ofthe headlight 52. Pin 9 is connected to the high beam lead of theheadlight 54, Pin 10 is connected to the common lead of the headlight54, and Pin 11 is connected to the low beam lead of the headlight 54.Pin 5 is connected to the right turn signal lead of the parking/turnlight 56, and Pin 13 is connected to the left turn signal lead of theparking/turn light 58. Pin 12 is connected to the parking light feed ofthe parking/turn lights 56 and 58, and Pin 4 is connected to the commonlead of the parking/turn lights 56 and 58.

With regard to the jumpered connector 236, Pin 1 is jumpered to Pin 8,Pin 2 is jumpered to Pin 7, Pin 3 is jumpered to Pin 6, Pin 9 isjumpered to Pin 16, Pin 10 is jumpered to Pin 15, Pin 11 is jumpered toPin 14.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the alternateembodiment illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12 switches both the hot leadsand the common leads from the headlights 32 and 36 of the vehicle 30′ tothe headlights 52 and 54 of the vehicle accessory 50, and alsoindependently connects the hot leads and the common leads from theparking/turn lights 44 and 46 of the vehicle 30′ to the parking/turnlights 56 and 58 of the vehicle accessory 50. (Those skilled in the artwill appreciate that designs using single first and second harnessconnectors could instead be implemented with either the hot leads beingswitched or with only the common leads being switched and diodes beingused as in the third version of the independent lighting systemillustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8.) When the jumpered connector 236 isconnected to the first harness connector 232 as shown in FIG. 11, theheadlights 32 and 36 of the vehicle 30′ will be operative. If the firstharness connector 232 and the jumper connector 236 are not connected toeach other, the headlights 32 and 36 of the vehicle 30′ will beinoperative.

Referring now to FIG. 12, the alternate embodiment of the independentlighting system is shown in the second configuration (which is used whenthe vehicle accessory 50 is connected to the vehicle 30′). When thefirst harness connector 232 is connected to the second harness connector234, the headlights 52 and 54 of the vehicle accessory 50 will beoperative, and the headlights 32 and 36 of the vehicle 30′ will not beoperative.

Referring next to FIG. 13, the first version of the independent lightingsystem, which was illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, is illustrated issimplified form as it would likely appear, with the same referencenumerals used in FIGS. 3 and 4 being used in FIG. 13. The right sidefirst harness connector 72 is shown in position for connection to theright side second harness connector 80 to operate the headlight 52 andthe parking/turn light 56 on the vehicle accessory 50 (the vehicleaccessory 50 is not shown in FIG. 13), and the left side first harnessconnector 78 is shown in position for connection to the left side secondharness connector 82 to operate the headlight 54 and the parking/turnlight 58 on the vehicle accessory 50. In this position, the headlights32 and 36 of the vehicle 30 (the vehicle 30 is not shown in FIG. 11)will be inoperative. The right side first harness connector 72 and theleft side first harness connector 78 are shown in position forconnection together in phantom lines to render the headlights 32 and 36operative when the vehicle accessory 50 has been removed from thevehicle 30.

A second series of embodiments of the independent lighting systemreferred to as an independent lighting energy interruption system whichis described in the second above-identified parent patent application isillustrated in four embodiments in FIGS. 14 and 15, FIG. 16, FIG. 17,and FIG. 18, respectively. The physical construction of the fourth ofthese embodiments of the independent lighting energy interruption systemis shown in FIG. 19. In each of these four embodiments of theindependent lighting energy interruption system, the vehicle harnessportions in the vehicle 30′ consist of a main vehicle harness portionand right side and left side auxiliary harness portions which areplugged into the main vehicle harness portion. In all four embodiments,the main vehicle harness portion is identical, with the right side andleft side auxiliary harness portions varying from embodiment toembodiment. The accessory harness portion in the vehicle accessory 50consists of right side and left side accessory harnesses, and isidentical in all four embodiments.

The other distinction of the independent lighting energy interruptionsystem from the independent lighting system shown in FIGS. 3 through 13is that while the main vehicle harness portion in the independentlighting energy interruption system may be viewed as having two halveslike the independent lighting system, the two halves are wired togetherwith a number of cross-connections therebetween. The design of theindependent lighting energy interruption system facilitates the use of asingle main vehicle harness which will work with virtually any vehicle,with the right side and left side auxiliary harness portions beingessentially adapters which are tailored for the differing electricalsystems of any of a wide variety of different vehicles.

Referring now to FIG. 14, the portion of the first embodiment of theindependent lighting energy interruption system which is located in thevehicle 30′ is illustrated in the first configuration (which is usedwhen the vehicle accessory 50 is not connected to the vehicle 30′). Thisembodiment is suitable for use with a vehicle in which all of theelectrical connections of the independent lighting energy interruptionsystem are to be made by cutting and splicing wires. The portion of theindependent lighting energy interruption system which is located in thevehicle consists of a main vehicle harness portion 300, a right sideauxiliary harness portion 302, and a left side auxiliary harness portion304.

The main vehicle harness portion 300 has a right side portion which isconnected to the electrical system of the vehicle 30′ with a right sidemain harness connector 306, and a left side portion which is connectedto the electrical system of the vehicle with a left side main harnessconnector 308. The right side portion of the main vehicle harnessportion 300 is designed to be connected to the vehicle accessory 50 (notshown in FIG. 14) with a right side vehicle harness connector 310, andthe left side of the main vehicle harness portion 300 is likewisedesigned to be connected to the vehicle accessory 50 with a left sidevehicle harness connector 312.

The right side auxiliary harness portion 302 has a right side auxiliaryharness connector 314 to connect it to the right side main harnessconnector 306 of the main vehicle harness portion 300. The left sideauxiliary harness portion 304 has a left side auxiliary harnessconnector 316 to connect it to the left side main harness connector 308of the main vehicle harness portion 300.

Referring for the moment to FIG. 15, the first embodiment of the entireindependent lighting energy interruption system, including the portionwhich is located in the vehicle accessory 50, is illustrated in thesecond configuration (which is used when the vehicle accessory 50 isconnected to the vehicle 30′). The portion of the independent lightingenergy interruption system located in the vehicle accessory 50 includesa right side accessory harness 320 and a left side accessory harness322. The right side accessory harness 320 has a right side accessoryconnector 324 and the left side accessory harness 322 has a left sideaccessory connector 326.

The right side vehicle harness connector 310 will mate with the leftside vehicle harness connector 312 (as shown in FIG. 14) or with theright side accessory connector 324 (as shown in FIG. 15), but not withthe left side accessory connector 326. The left side vehicle harnessconnector 312 will mate with the right side vehicle harness connector310 or with the left side accessory connector 326, but not with theright side accessory connector 324. The right side accessory connector324 and the left side accessory connector 326 will also mate with eachother. In FIGS. 14 and 15, the right side vehicle harness connector 310and the left side accessory connector 326 are female connectors, and theleft side vehicle harness connector 312 and the right side accessoryconnector 324 are male connectors, but this configuration could bereversed. Preferably, the right side vehicle harness connector 310, theleft side vehicle harness connector 312, the right side accessoryconnector 324, and the left side accessory connector 326 are color codedin a first color (such as black).

In the first embodiment of the independent lighting energy interruptionsystem shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, the right side vehicle harnessconnector 310, the left side vehicle harness connector 312, the rightside auxiliary harness connector 314, and the left side auxiliaryharness connector 316 are all ten-pin connectors. Referring now solelyto FIG. 14, Pins 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9, and 10 of the right side vehicleharness connector 310 are respectively connected to pins 5, 2, 8, 9, 7,3, 4, and 10 of the right side main harness connector 306. Pins 2, 3, 4,5, 7, 8, 9, and 10 of the left side vehicle harness connector 312 arerespectively connected to pins 2, 8, 9, 5, 6, 3, 4, and 10 of the leftside main harness connector 308.

In addition, there are four connections between the right and lefthalves of the right side vehicle harness connector 310. Pins 5 and 7 ofthe right side vehicle harness connector 310 are respectively connectedto pins 1 and 7 of the left side main harness connector 308. Pins 1 and6 of the left side vehicle harness connector 312 are respectivelyconnected to pins 1 and 6 of the right side main harness connector 306.The main vehicle harness portion 300 with this wiring schematic will beused in all four of the embodiments of the independent lighting energyinterruption system discussed herein with reference to FIGS. 14 and 15,FIG. 16, FIG. 17, and FIGS. 18 and 19.

The right side main harness connector 306 will mate with the right sideauxiliary harness connector 314, but not with the left side auxiliaryharness connector 316. The left side main harness connector 308 willmate with the left side auxiliary harness connector 316, but not withthe right side auxiliary harness connector 314. The left side mainharness connector 308 and the right side auxiliary harness connector 314are female connectors, and the right side main harness connector 306 andthe left side auxiliary harness connector 316 are male connectors, butthis configuration could be reversed. Preferably, the right side mainharness connector 306, the left side main harness connector 308, theright side auxiliary harness connector 314, and the left side auxiliaryharness connector 316 are color coded in a second color (such as green).In the first embodiment of the independent lighting energy interruptionsystem shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, the right side main harness connector306, the left side main harness connector 308, the right side auxiliaryharness connector 314, and the left side auxiliary harness connector 316are all ten-pin connectors.

The right side auxiliary harness portion 302 and the left side auxiliaryharness portion 304 used in the first embodiment of the independentlighting energy interruption system shown in FIGS. 14 and 15 arehard-wired embodiments in which the wires of the right side auxiliaryharness portion 302 and the left side auxiliary harness portion 304 aredirectly connected to the vehicle lighting electrical wiring.

Referring first to the right side vehicle lighting electrical wiring, itmay be seen that the electrical connection between the high beamswitched feed and the high beam lead to the headlight 32 is cut, and theelectrical connection between the low beam switched feed and the lowbeam lead to the headlight 32 is cut. Likewise, the electricalconnection between the parking light feed and the parking light lead tothe parking/turn light 44 is cut, and the electrical connection betweenthe right turn light feed and the right turn light lead to theparking/turn light 44 is cut. However, the electrical connection betweenthe light common feed and the light common lead to the headlight 32 isnot cut, and the electrical connection between the vehicle ground feedand the vehicle ground lead to the parking/turn light 44 is not cut.

Pins 3 and 4 of the right side auxiliary harness connector 314 arerespectively connected to the high beam switched feed and the low beamswitched feed. Pins 8 and 9 of the right side auxiliary harnessconnector 314 are respectively connected to the high beam lead of theheadlight 32 and the low beam lead of the headlight 32. Pin 2 of theright side auxiliary harness connector 314 is connected to the lightcommon lead.

Pins 7 and 5 of the right side auxiliary harness connector 314 arerespectively connected to the parking light feed and the right turnsignal feed. Pins 6 and 1 of the right side auxiliary harness connector314 are respectively connected to the parking light lead of theparking/turn light 44 and the right turn signal lead of the parking/turnlight 44. Pin 10 of the right side auxiliary harness connector 314 isconnected to the vehicle ground lead.

Referring now to the left side vehicle lighting electrical wiring, itmay be seen that the electrical connection between the high beamswitched feed and the high beam lead to the headlight 36 is cut, and theelectrical connection between the low beam switched feed and the lowbeam lead to the headlight 36 is cut. Likewise, the electricalconnection between the parking light feed and the parking light lead tothe parking/turn light 46 is cut, and the electrical connection betweenthe right turn light feed and the right turn light lead to theparking/turn light 46 is cut. However, the electrical connection betweenthe light common feed and the light common lead to the headlight 36 isnot cut, and the electrical connection between the vehicle ground feedand the vehicle ground lead to the parking/turn light 46 is not cut.

Pins 8 and 9 of the left side auxiliary harness connector 316 arerespectively connected to the high beam switched feed and the low beamswitched feed. Pins 3 and 4 of the left side auxiliary harness connector316 are respectively connected to the high beam lead of the headlight 36and the low beam lead of the headlight 36. Pin 2 of the left sideauxiliary harness connector 316 is connected to the light common lead.

Pins 6 and 5 of the left side auxiliary harness connector 316 arerespectively connected to the parking light feed and the left turnsignal feed. Pins 7 and 1 of the left side auxiliary harness connector316 are respectively connected to the parking light lead of theparking/turn light 46 and the left turn signal lead of the parking/turnlight 46. Pin 10 of the left side auxiliary harness connector 316 isconnected to the vehicle ground lead.

Turning now to FIG. 15, with regard to the right side accessory harness320, Pin 1 is connected to the right turn signal lead of theparking/turn light 56, Pin 2 is connected to the common lead of theheadlight 52, Pin 6 is connected to the parking light feed of theparking/turn light 56, Pin 8 is connected to the high beam lead of theheadlight 52, Pin 9 is connected to the low beam lead of the headlight52, and Pin 10 is connected to the ground lead of the parking/turn light56. With regard to the left side accessory harness 322, Pin 2 isconnected to the common lead of the headlight 54, Pin 3 is connected tothe high beam lead of the headlight 54, Pin 4 is connected to the lowbeam lead of the headlight 54, Pin 5 is connected to the left turnsignal lead of the parking/turn light 58, Pin 7 is connected to theparking light feed of the parking/turn light 58, and Pin 10 is connectedto the ground lead of the parking/turn light 58. The right sideaccessory harness 320 and the left side accessory harness 322 with thesewiring schematics will be used in all four of the embodiments of theindependent lighting energy interruption system discussed herein withreference to FIGS. 14 and 15, FIG. 16, FIG. 17, and FIGS. 18 and 19.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the firstembodiment of the independent lighting energy interruption systemillustrated in FIGS. 14 and 15 switches the hot leads from the high andlow beams in the headlights 32 and 36 of the vehicle 30′ to the high andlow beams in the headlights 52 and 54 of the vehicle accessory 50. Italso switches the hot leads from the parking lights and turn signals inthe parking/turn lights 44 and 46 of the vehicle 30′ to the parkinglights and turn signals in the parking/turn lights 56 and 58 of thevehicle accessory 50. When the right side vehicle harness connector 310and the left side vehicle harness connector 312 of the right sidevehicle harness connector 310 are connected together as shown in FIG.14, the headlights 32 and 36 and the parking/turn light 44 and 46 of thevehicle 30′ will be operative. If the right side vehicle harnessconnector 310 and the left side vehicle harness connector 312 are notconnected to each other, the headlights 32 and 36 and the parking/turnlight 44 and 46 of the vehicle 30′ will be inoperative.

Referring again to FIG. 15, the first embodiment of the independentlighting energy interruption system is shown in the second configuration(which is used when the vehicle accessory 50 is connected to the vehicle30′). When the right side vehicle harness connector 310 is connected tothe right side accessory connector 324 and the left side vehicle harnessconnector 312 is connected to the left side accessory connector 326, theheadlights 52 and 54 and the parking/turn lights 56 and 58 of thevehicle accessory 50 will be operative, and the headlights 32 and 36 ofthe vehicle 30′ and the parking/turn light 44 and 46 will not beoperative.

Referring next to FIG. 16, a second embodiment of the independentlighting energy interruption system is illustrated which will be usedwith a vehicle 30′ which has connectors used to make the lightingconnections in the vehicle the vehicle 30′. The vehicle 30′ is shown ashaving the headlight plug 40 which would be connected to the connectorelement 34 of the headlight 32 and the headlight plug 42 which would beconnected to the connector element 38 of the headlight 36. In addition,the parking/turn light 44 is associated with a connector element 330located on the right side of the vehicle 30′ and the parking/turn light46 is associated with a connector element 332 located on the left sideof the vehicle 30′. A parking/turn plug 334 is shown for connection tothe connector element 330 on the parking/turn light 44, and aparking/turn plug 336 is shown for connection to the connector element332 on the parking/turn light 46.

Instead of using the right side auxiliary harness portion 302 (shown inFIGS. 14 and 15) and the left side auxiliary harness portion 304 (alsoshown in FIGS. 14 and 15), a right side auxiliary harness portion 340and a left side auxiliary harness portion 342 are used. The right sideauxiliary harness portion 340 has a right side auxiliary harnessconnector 344 to connect it to the right side main harness connector 306of the main vehicle harness portion 300. The left side auxiliary harnessportion 342 has a left side auxiliary harness connector 346 to connectit to the left side main harness connector 308 of the main vehicleharness portion 300. The right side auxiliary harness portion 340 andthe left side auxiliary harness portion 342 are color coded in thesecond color (green in the example used herein), and are ten-pinconnectors.

Referring now to the right side auxiliary harness portion 340, it may beseen that it also includes a headlight connector 348 which is connectedto the connector element 34 of the headlight 32, a headlight powerconnector 350 which is connected to the headlight plug 40, aparking/turn light connector 352 which is connected to the connectorelement 330, and a parking/turn light power connector 354 which isconnected to the parking/turn plug 334. With regard to the left sideauxiliary harness portion 342, it may be seen that it also includes aheadlight connector 356 which is connected to the connector element 38of the headlight 36, a headlight power connector 358 which is connectedto the headlight plug 42, a parking/turn light connector 360 which isconnected to the connector element 332, and a parking/turn light powerconnector 362 which is connected to the parking/turn plug 336.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the secondembodiment of the independent lighting energy interruption systemillustrated in FIG. 16 includes the right side auxiliary harness portion340 and the left side auxiliary harness portion 342 which may beinstalled by simply plugging the connectors of the right side auxiliaryharness portion 340 and the left side auxiliary harness portion 342 intothe existing connectors of the electrical wiring of the illuminationsystem of the vehicle 30′. Like the first embodiment, the secondembodiment operates by switching the hot leads from the high and lowbeams in the headlights 32 and 36 of the vehicle 30′ to the high and lowbeams in the headlights 52 and 54 of the vehicle accessory 50 (shown inFIG. 15), and switching the hot leads from the parking lights and turnsignals in the parking/turn lights 44 and 46 of the vehicle 30′ to theparking lights and turn signals in the parking/turn lights 56 and 58 ofthe vehicle accessory 50

When the right side vehicle harness connector 310 and the left sidevehicle harness connector 312 of the right side vehicle harnessconnector 310 are connected together as shown in FIG. 16, the headlights32 and 36 and the parking/turn light 44 and 46 of the vehicle 30′ willbe operative. If the right side vehicle harness connector 310 and theleft side vehicle harness connector 312 are not connected to each other,the headlights 32 and 36 and the parking/turn lights 44 and 46 of thevehicle 30′ will be inoperative. When the right side vehicle harnessconnector 310 is connected to the right side accessory connector 324(shown in FIG. 15) and the left side vehicle harness connector 312 isconnected to the left side accessory connector 326 (shown in FIG. 15),the headlights 52 and 54 and the parking/turn lights 56 and 58 of thevehicle accessory 50 will be operative, and the headlights 32 and 36 andthe parking/turn lights 44 and 46 of the vehicle 30′ will not beoperative.

Referring now to FIG. 17, a third embodiment of the independent lightingenergy interruption system is illustrated which will be used with avehicle 30′ which has a different type of connector used to make thelighting connections for the headlights in the vehicle 30′. The vehicle30′ is shown as having the parking/turn plug 334 which would beconnected to the connector element 330 of the parking/turn light 44 andthe parking/turn plug 336 which would be connected to the connectorelement 332 of the parking/turn light 46.

In this particular vehicle 30′, the high and low beams are two discretelights rather than both being included in a single unit. Thus, a highbeam headlight 378 having a connector element 380 (typically prongsextending from the back side thereof) and a low beam headlight 382having a connector element 384 (typically prongs extending from the backside thereof) are located on the right side of the vehicle 30′, and ahigh beam headlight 386 having a connector element 388 (typically prongsextending from the back side thereof) and a low beam headlight 390having a connector element 392 (typically prongs extending from the backside thereof) are located on the left side of the vehicle 30′.

Referring now to the right side auxiliary harness portion 370, it may beseen that it includes the parking/turn light connector 352 which isconnected to the connector element 330 of the parking/turn light 44, andthe parking/turn light power connector 354 which is connected to theparking/turn plug 334. The right side auxiliary harness portion 370 alsoincludes a high beam headlight connector 402 which is connected to theconnector 380 of the high beam headlight 378, a high beam headlightpower connector 404 which is connected to the high beam headlight plug394, a low beam headlight connector 406 which is connected to theconnector 384 of the low beam headlight 382, and a low beam headlightpower connector 408 which is connected to the low beam headlight plug396.

Referring now to the left side auxiliary harness portion 372, it may beseen that it includes the parking/turn light connector 360 which isconnected to the connector element 332 of the parking/turn light 46, andthe parking/turn light power connector 362 which is connected to theparking/turn plug 336. The left side auxiliary harness portion 372 alsoincludes a high beam headlight connector 410 which is connected to theconnector 388 of the high beam headlight 386, a high beam headlightpower connector 412 which is connected to the high beam headlight plug398, a low beam headlight connector 414 which is connected to theconnector 392 of the low beam headlight 390, and a low beam headlightpower connector 416 which is connected to the low beam headlight plug400.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the thirdembodiment of the independent lighting energy interruption systemillustrated in FIG. 17 includes the right side auxiliary harness portion370 and the left side auxiliary harness portion 372 which may beinstalled by simply plugging the connectors of the right side auxiliaryharness portion 370 and the left side auxiliary harness portion 372 intothe existing connectors of the electrical wiring of the illuminationsystem of the vehicle 30′. Like the first and second embodiments, thethird embodiment operates by switching the hot leads from the high beamheadlight 378, the low beam headlight 382, the high beam headlight 386,and the low beam headlight 390 of the vehicle 30′ to the high beam inthe headlight 52, the low beam in the headlight 52, the high beam in theheadlight 54, the low beam in the headlight 54, respectively, of thevehicle accessory 50 (shown in FIG. 15), and switching the hot leadsfrom the parking lights and turn signals in the parking/turn lights 44and 46 of the vehicle 30′ to the parking lights and turn signals in theparking/turn lights 56 and 58 of the vehicle accessory 50.

When the right side vehicle harness connector 310 and the left sidevehicle harness connector 312 of the right side vehicle harnessconnector 310 are connected together as shown in FIG. 17, the high beamheadlight 378, the low beam headlight 382, the high beam headlight 386,and the low beam headlight 390 and the parking/turn lights 44 and 46 ofthe vehicle 30′ will be operative. If the right side vehicle harnessconnector 310 and the left side vehicle harness connector 312 are notconnected to each other, the high beam headlight 378, the low beamheadlight 382, the high beam headlight 386, and the low beam headlight390 and the parking/turn lights 44 and 46 of the vehicle 30′ will beinoperative. When the right side vehicle harness connector 310 isconnected to the right side accessory connector 324 (shown in FIG. 15)and the left side vehicle harness connector 312 is connected to the leftside accessory connector 326 (shown in FIG. 15), the headlights 52 and54 and the parking/turn lights 56 and 58 of the vehicle accessory 50will be operative, and the high beam headlight 378, the low beamheadlight 382, the high beam headlight 386, and the low beam headlight390 and the parking/turn lights 44 and 46 of the vehicle 30′ will not beoperative.

Referring next to FIG. 18, a fourth embodiment of the independentlighting energy interruption system is illustrated which will be usedwith a vehicle 30′ which has a different type of connectors used to makethe lighting connections for the parking and marker lights in thevehicle. The vehicle 30′ is shown as having the connector 380 of thehigh beam headlight 378, the connector 384 of the low beam headlight382, the connector 388 of the high beam headlight 386, and the connector392 of the low beam headlight 390, which would be respectively connectedto the high beam headlight plug 394, the low beam headlight plug 396,the high beam headlight plug 398, and the low beam headlight plug 400.

In this particular vehicle 30′, the parking lights and the turn signalsare two discrete lights rather than both being included in a singleunit. Thus, a parking light 428 having a connector element 430 and aright turn light 432 having a connector element 434 are located on theright side of the vehicle 30′, and a parking light 436 having aconnector element 438 and a left turn light 440 having a connectorelement 442 are located on the left side of the vehicle 30′.

Referring now to the right side auxiliary harness portion 420, it may beseen that it includes the high beam headlight connector 402 which isconnected to the connector 380 of the high beam headlight 378, the highbeam headlight power connector 404 which is connected to the high beamheadlight plug 394, the low beam headlight connector 406 which isconnected to the connector 384 of the low beam headlight 382, and thelow beam headlight power connector 408 which is connected to the lowbeam headlight plug 396. The right side auxiliary harness portion 420also includes a parking light connector 452 which is connected to theconnector 430 of the parking light 428, a parking light power connector454 which is connected to the parking light plug 444, a right turn lightconnector 456 which is connected to the connector 434 of the right turnlight 432, and a right turn light power connector 458 which is connectedto the right turn light plug 446.

Referring now to the left side auxiliary harness portion 422, it may beseen that it includes the high beam headlight connector 410 which isconnected to the connector 388 of the high beam headlight 386, the highbeam headlight power connector 412 which is connected to the high beamheadlight plug 398, the low beam headlight connector 414 which isconnected to which is connected to the connector 392 of the low beamheadlight 390, and the low beam headlight power connector 416 which isconnected to the low beam headlight plug 400. The left side auxiliaryharness portion 422 also includes a parking light connector 460 which isconnected to the connector 438 of the parking light 436, a parking lightpower connector 462 which is connected to the parking light plug 448, aleft turn light connector 464 which is connected to the connector 442 ofthe left turn light 440, and a left turn light power connector 466 whichis connected to the left turn light plug 450.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the fourthembodiment of the independent lighting energy interruption systemillustrated in FIG. 18 includes the right side auxiliary harness portion420 and the left side auxiliary harness portion 422 which may beinstalled by simply plugging the connectors of the right side auxiliaryharness portion 420 and the left side auxiliary harness portion 422 intothe existing connectors of the electrical wiring of the illuminationsystem of the vehicle 30′. Like the first three embodiments, the fourthembodiment operates by switching the hot leads from the high beamheadlight 378, the low beam headlight 382, the high beam headlight 386,and the low beam headlight 390 of the vehicle 30′ to the high beam inthe headlight 52, the low beam in the headlight 52, the high beam in theheadlight 54, the low beam in the headlight 54, respectively, of thevehicle accessory 50 (shown in FIG. 15), and switching the hot leadsfrom the parking light 428, the right turn light 432, the parking light436, and the left turn light 440 of the vehicle 30′ to the parkinglights and turn signals in the parking/turn lights 56 and 58 of thevehicle accessory 50.

When the right side vehicle harness connector 310 and the left sidevehicle harness connector 312 of the right side vehicle harnessconnector 310 are connected together as shown in FIG. 18, the high beamheadlight 378, the low beam headlight 382, the high beam headlight 386,the low beam headlight 390, the parking light 428, the right turn light432, the parking light 436, and the left turn light 440 of the vehicle30′ will be operative. If the right side vehicle harness connector 310and the left side vehicle harness connector 312 are not connected toeach other, the high beam headlight 378, the low beam headlight 382, thehigh beam headlight 386, the low beam headlight 390, the parking light428, the right turn light 432, the parking light 436, and the left turnlight 440 of the vehicle 30′ will be inoperative.

When the right side vehicle harness connector 310 is connected to theright side accessory connector 324 (shown in FIG. 15) and the left sidevehicle harness connector 312 is connected to the left side accessoryconnector 326 (shown in FIG. 15), the headlights 52 and 54 and theparking/turn lights 56 and 58 of the vehicle accessory 50 will beoperative, and the high beam headlight 378, the low beam headlight 382,the high beam headlight 386, the low beam headlight 390, the parkinglight 428, the right turn light 432, the parking light 436, and the leftturn light 440 of the vehicle 30′ will not be operative.

Referring next to FIG. 19, the fourth embodiment of the independentlighting energy interruption system, which was illustrated in FIG. 18,is illustrated in simplified form as it would likely appear, with thesame reference numerals used in FIG. 18 being used in FIG. 19. The rightside vehicle harness connector 310 is shown in position for connectionto the right side accessory connector 324 to operate the headlight 52and the parking/turn light 56 on the vehicle accessory 50 (the vehicleaccessory 50 is not shown in FIG. 19), and the left side vehicle harnessconnector 312 is shown in position for connection to the left sideaccessory connector 326 to operate the headlight 54 and the parking/turnlight 58 on the vehicle accessory 50. In this position, the high beamheadlight 378, the low beam headlight 382, the high beam headlight 386,the low beam headlight 390, the parking light 428, the right turn light432, the parking light 436, and the left turn light 440 of the vehicle30′ (the vehicle 30′ is not shown in FIG. 19) will be inoperative. Theright side vehicle harness connector 310 and the left side vehicleharness connector 312 are shown in position for connection together inphantom lines to render the high beam headlight 378, the low beamheadlight 382, the high beam headlight 386, the low beam headlight 390,the parking light 428, the right turn light 432, the parking light 436,and the left turn light 440 operative when the vehicle accessory 50 hasbeen removed from the vehicle 30′.

A third series of embodiments of the independent lighting systemreferred to as a reconfigurable independent lighting energy interruptionsystem is illustrated in five embodiments in FIG. 20, FIG. 21, FIG. 22,FIGS. 23 and 24, and FIGS. 25 and 26, respectively. The physicalconstructions of the fourth and fifth of these embodiments of thereconfigurable independent lighting energy interruption system are shownin FIGS. 24 and 26, respectively. In each of these five embodiments ofthe reconfigurable independent lighting energy interruption system, thevehicle harness portions in the vehicle 30′ consist of a single mainvehicle harness portion and right side and left side reconfigurationharness sets which are plugged into the main vehicle harness portion. Inall five embodiments, the main vehicle harness portion is identical,with the right side and left side reconfiguration harness sets varyingfrom embodiment to embodiment. The accessory harness portion in thevehicle accessory 50 consists of right side and left side accessoryharnesses identical to those used with the independent lighting energyinterruption system embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 14 through 19(shown in FIGS. 15 and 19), and is identical in all five embodiments.

The distinction of the reconfigurable independent lighting energyinterruption system from the independent lighting energy interruptionsystem shown in FIGS. 14 through 19 is that while a single main vehicleharness portion is used, instead of customized auxiliary harnessportions for each vehicle application, sets of reconfiguration harnessesare used which have common elements from vehicle to vehicle. The designof the independent lighting energy interruption system facilitates theuse of a single main vehicle harness which will work with virtually anyvehicle, with the right side and left side auxiliary harness sets beingmixed and matched from common auxiliary harnesses to accommodate thediffering electrical systems of any of a wide variety of differentvehicles.

The reconfigurable independent lighting energy interruption system isillustrated in five embodiments in FIG. 20, FIG. 21, FIG. 22, FIGS. 23and 24, and FIGS. 25 and 26, respectively. In each of these fiveembodiments of the reconfigurable independent lighting energyinterruption system, the vehicle harness portions in the vehicle 30′consist of a standard main vehicle harness portion and right side andleft side auxiliary harnesses which are plugged into the main vehicleharness portion. In the first four of these additional embodiments, themain vehicle harness portion is identical for all vehicles, with theright side and left side auxiliary harnesses varying from embodiment toembodiment to fit different vehicles. The accessory harness portion inthe vehicle accessory 50, which is not shown in FIGS. 20 through 25, isidentical to the right side accessory harness 320 and the left sideaccessory harness 322 illustrated in FIG. 15.

Referring now to FIG. 20, the portion of the first embodiment of thereconfigurable independent lighting energy interruption system which islocated in the vehicle 30′ is illustrated in the first configuration(which is used when the vehicle accessory 50 is not connected to thevehicle 30′). This embodiment is suitable for use with a vehicle inwhich all of the electrical connections of the reconfigurableindependent lighting energy interruption system are to be made bycutting and splicing wires. The portion of the reconfigurableindependent lighting energy interruption system which is located in thevehicle consists of a main vehicle harness portion 500, first throughfourth right side auxiliary harnesses 502, 504, 506, and 508,respectively, and first through fourth left side auxiliary harnesses510, 512, 514, and 516, respectively. The first through fourth rightside auxiliary harnesses 502, 504, 506, and 508 act as interfacesbetween the main vehicle harness portion 500, the electrical system ofthe vehicle, and the right side lights of the vehicle, and the firstthrough fourth left side auxiliary harnesses 510, 512, 514, and 516 actas interfaces between the main vehicle harness portion 500, theelectrical system of the vehicle, and the left side lights of thevehicle.

The main vehicle harness portion 500 has a right side portion which isconnected to the first through fourth right side auxiliary harnesses502, 504, 506, and 508 with first through fourth right side main harnessconnectors 518, 520, 522, and 524, respectively, and a left side portionwhich is connected to the first through fourth left side auxiliaryharnesses 510, 512, 514, and 516 with first through fourth left sidemain harness connectors 526, 528, 530, and 532, respectively. The rightside portion of the main vehicle harness portion 500 is designed to beconnected to the vehicle accessory 50 (shown in FIG. 15) with a rightside vehicle harness connector 534, and the left side of the mainvehicle harness portion 300 is likewise designed to be connected to thevehicle accessory 50 with a left side vehicle harness connector 536.

In operation with the vehicle accessory 50, the right side vehicleharness connector 534 will be plugged into the right side accessoryconnector 324 (shown in FIG. 15), and the left side vehicle harnessconnector 536 will be plugged into the left side accessory connector 326(also shown in FIG. 15). When the vehicle accessory 50 is not mounted onthe vehicle, the right side vehicle harness connector 534 and the leftside vehicle harness connector 536 will be connected together. Both theright side vehicle harness connector 534 and the left side vehicleharness connector 536 are ten-pin connectors, with the right sidevehicle harness connector 534 being a female connector and the left sidevehicle harness connector 536 being a male connector. The first throughfourth right side main harness connectors 518, 520, 522, and 524 arefour-pin male connectors. The first through fourth left side mainharness connectors 526, 528, 530, and 532 are four-pin femaleconnectors.

Pins 1 and 4 of the first right main harness connector 518 arerespectively connected to Pins 8 and 9 of the right side vehicle harnessconnector 534. Pin 2 of the first right main harness connector 518 isconnected to Pin 3 of the second right main harness connector 520. Pin 3of the first right main harness connector 518 is connected both to Pin 2of the right side vehicle harness connector 534 and to Pin 2 of thesecond right main harness connector 520. Pins 1 and 4 of the secondright main harness connector 520 are respectively connected to pins 4and 3 of the right side vehicle harness connector 534.

Pins 1 and 4 of the third right main harness connector 522 arerespectively connected to Pins 6 and 1 of the right side vehicle harnessconnector 534. Pin 3 of the third right main harness connector 522 isconnected to Pin 2 of the fourth right main harness connector 524. Pin 2of the third right main harness connector 522 is connected both to Pin10 of the right side vehicle harness connector 534 and to Pin 3 of thefourth right main harness connector 524. Pins 1 and 4 of the fourthright main harness connector 524 are respectively connected to Pins 1and 6 of the left side vehicle harness connector 536.

Pins 1 and 4 of the first left main harness connector 526 arerespectively connected to Pins 3 and 4 of the left side vehicle harnessconnector 536. Pin 3 of the first left main harness connector 526 isconnected to Pin 2 of the second left main harness connector 528. Pin 2of the first left main harness connector 526 is connected both to Pin 2of the left side vehicle harness connector 536 and to Pin 3 of thesecond left main harness connector 528. Pins 1 and 4 of the second leftmain harness connector 528 are respectively connected to Pins 8 and 9 ofthe left side vehicle harness connector 536.

Pins 1 and 4 of the third left main harness connector 530 arerespectively connected to Pins 5 and 7 of the left side vehicle harnessconnector 536. Pin of the third left main harness connector 530 isconnected to Pin 3 of the fourth left main harness connector 532. Pin 3of the third left main harness connector 530 is connected both to Pin 10of the left side vehicle harness connector 536 and to Pin 2 of thefourth left main harness connector 532. Pins 1 and 4 of the fourth leftmain harness connector 532 are respectively connected to Pins 7 and 5 ofthe right side vehicle harness connector 534. The main vehicle harnessportion 500 with this wiring schematic will be used in the first four ofthe embodiments of the reconfigurable independent lighting energyinterruption system discussed herein with reference to FIG. 20, FIG. 21,FIG. 22, and FIGS. 23 and 24.

The first embodiment of the reconfigurable independent lighting energyinterruption system shown in FIG. 20 is a hard-wired embodiment in whichthe wires of the first through fourth right side auxiliary harnesses502, 504, 506, and 508 and the first through fourth left side auxiliaryharnesses 510, 512, 514, and 516 are directly connected to the vehiclelighting electrical wiring.

Referring first to the right side vehicle lighting electrical wiring, itmay be seen that the electrical connection between the high beamswitched feed and the high beam lead to the headlight 32 is cut, theelectrical connection between the light common feed and the light commonlead to the headlight 32 is cut, and the electrical connection betweenthe low beam switched feed and the low beam lead to the headlight 32 iscut. Likewise, the electrical connection between the parking light feedand the parking light lead to the parking/turn light 44 is cut, theelectrical connection between the vehicle ground feed and the vehicleground lead to the parking/turn light 44 is cut, and the electricalconnection between the right turn light feed and the right turn lightlead to the parking/turn light 44 is cut.

The first right auxiliary harness 502 has a first right auxiliaryharness connector 538 which is a four-pin female connector which willplug into the first right main harness connector 518 of the main vehicleharness portion 500. The first right main harness connector 518 and thefirst right auxiliary harness connector 538 may be color coded in afirst color. Pins 1, 3, and 4 of the first right auxiliary harnessconnector 538 are respectively connected to the high beam switched feed,the light common lead, and the low beam switched feed.

The second right auxiliary harness 504 has a second right auxiliaryharness connector 540 which is a four-pin female connector which willplug into the second right main harness connector 520 of the mainvehicle harness portion 500. The second right main harness connector 520and the second right auxiliary harness connector 540 may be color codedin a second color. Pins 1, 2, and 4 of the second right auxiliaryharness connector 540 are respectively connected to the low beam lead ofthe headlight 32, the light common lead of the headlight 32, and thehigh beam lead of the headlight 32.

The third right auxiliary harness 506 has a third right auxiliaryharness connector 542 which is a four-pin female connector which willplug into the third right main harness connector 522 of the main vehicleharness portion 500. The third right main harness connector 522 and thethird right auxiliary harness connector 542 may be color coded in athird color. Pins 1, 2, and 4 of the third right auxiliary harnessconnector 542 are respectively connected to the parking light feed, thevehicle ground feed, and the right turn light lead.

The fourth right auxiliary harness 508 has a fourth right auxiliaryharness connector 544 which is a four-pin female connector which willplug into the fourth right main harness connector 524 of the mainvehicle harness portion 500. The fourth right main harness connector 524and the fourth right auxiliary harness connector 544 may be color codedin a fourth color. Pins 1, 3, and 4 of the fourth right auxiliaryharness connector 544 are respectively connected to the right turn lightlead to the parking/turn light 44, the vehicle ground lead to theparking/turn light 44, and the parking light lead to the parking/turnlight 44.

Referring now to the left side vehicle lighting electrical wiring, itmay be seen that the electrical connection between the high beamswitched feed and the high beam lead to the headlight 36 is cut, theelectrical connection between the light common feed and the light commonlead to the headlight 36 is cut, and the electrical connection betweenthe low beam switched feed and the low beam lead to the headlight 36 iscut. Likewise, the electrical connection between the parking light feedand the parking light lead to the parking/turn light 46 is cut, theelectrical connection between the vehicle ground feed and the vehicleground lead to the parking/turn light 46 is cut, and the electricalconnection between the right turn light feed and the right turn lightlead to the parking/turn light 46 is cut.

The first left auxiliary harness 510 has a first left auxiliary harnessconnector 546 which is a four-pin male connector which will plug intothe first left main harness connector 526 of the main vehicle harnessportion 500. The first left main harness connector 526 and the firstleft auxiliary harness connector 546 may be color coded in a firstcolor. Pins 1, 2, and 4 of the first left auxiliary harness connector546 are respectively connected to the low beam switched feed, the lightcommon lead, and the high beam switched feed.

The second left auxiliary harness 512 has a second left auxiliaryharness connector 548 which is a four-pin male connector which will pluginto the second left main harness connector 528 of the main vehicleharness portion 500. The second left main harness connector 528 and thesecond left auxiliary harness connector 548 may be color coded in asecond color. Pins 1, 3, and 4 of the second left auxiliary harnessconnector 548 are respectively connected to the high beam lead of theheadlight 36, the light common lead of the headlight 36, and the lowbeam lead of the headlight 36.

The third left auxiliary harness 514 has a third left auxiliary harnessconnector 550 which is a four-pin male connector which will plug intothe third left main harness connector 530 of the main vehicle harnessportion 500. The third left main harness connector 530 and the thirdleft auxiliary harness connector 550 may be color coded in a thirdcolor. Pins 1, 3, and 4 of the third left auxiliary harness connector550 are respectively connected to the left turn light lead, the vehicleground feed, and the parking light feed.

The fourth left auxiliary harness 516 has a fourth left auxiliaryharness connector 552 which is a four-pin female connector which willplug into the fourth left main harness connector 532 of the main vehicleharness portion 500. The fourth left main harness connector 532 and thefourth left auxiliary harness connector 552 may be color coded in afourth color. Pins 1, 2, and 4 of the fourth left auxiliary harnessconnector 552 are respectively connected to the parking light lead tothe parking/turn light 44, the vehicle ground lead to the parking/turnlight 44, and the left turn light lead to the parking/turn light 44.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the firstembodiment of the reconfigurable independent lighting energyinterruption system illustrated in FIG. 20 switches the hot leads fromthe high and low beams in the headlights 32 and 36 of the vehicle 30′ tothe high and low beams in the headlights 52 and 54 of the vehicleaccessory 50. It also switches the hot leads from the parking lights andturn signals in the parking/turn lights 44 and 46 of the vehicle 30′ tothe parking lights and turn signals in the parking/turn lights 56 and 58of the vehicle accessory 50. When the right side vehicle harnessconnector 534 and the left side vehicle harness connector 536 of areconnected together as shown in FIG. 20, the headlights 32 and 36 and theparking/turn lights 44 and 46 of the vehicle 30′ will be operative. Ifthe right side vehicle harness connector 534 and the left side vehicleharness connector 536 are not connected to each other, the headlights 32and 36 and the parking/turn light 44 and 46 of the vehicle 30′ will beinoperative.

The first embodiment of the reconfigurable independent lighting energyinterruption system may be put into a second configuration (which isused when the vehicle accessory 50 is connected to the vehicle 30′).When right side vehicle harness connector 534 is connected to the rightside accessory connector 324 (shown in FIG. 15) and the left sidevehicle harness connector 536 is connected to the left side accessoryconnector 326 (also shown in FIG. 15), the headlights 52 and 54 and theparking/turn lights 56 and 58 of the vehicle accessory 50 will beoperative, and the headlights 32 and 36 of the vehicle 30′ and theparking/turn light 44 and 46 will not be operative.

Referring next to FIG. 21, a second embodiment of the reconfigurableindependent lighting energy interruption system is illustrated whichwill be used with a vehicle 30′ which has connectors used to make thelighting connections in the vehicle the vehicle 30′. The vehicle 30′ isshown as having the headlight plug 40 which would be connected to theconnector element 34 of the headlight 32 and the headlight plug 42 whichwould be connected to the connector element 38 of the headlight 36. Inaddition, the vehicle 30′ has the parking/turn plug 334 which would beconnected to the connector element 330 of the parking/turn light 44 andthe parking/turn plug 336 which would be connected to the connectorelement 332 of the parking/turn light 46.

The embodiment of the reconfigurable independent lighting energyinterruption system shown in FIG. 21 again uses the main vehicle harnessportion 500, but instead of having eight auxiliary harnesses which arewired into the vehicle electrical system by cutting and splicing wires,eight auxiliary harnesses having connectors at both ends thereof areused. This embodiment consists of the main vehicle harness portion 500,first through fourth right side auxiliary harnesses 560, 562, 564, and566, respectively, and first through fourth left side auxiliaryharnesses 568, 570, 572, and 574, respectively. The first through fourthright side auxiliary harnesses 560, 562, 564, and 566 act as interfacesbetween the main vehicle harness portion 500, the electrical system ofthe vehicle, and the right side lights of the vehicle, and the firstthrough fourth left side auxiliary harnesses 568, 570, 572, and 574 actas interfaces between the main vehicle harness portion 500, theelectrical system of the vehicle, and the left side lights of thevehicle.

The construction and operation of the main vehicle harness portion 500with the vehicle accessory 50 is the same as described in conjunctionwith the embodiment of FIG. 20. The first through fourth right side mainharness connectors 518, 520, 522, and 524 are the same four-pin maleconnectors. The first through fourth left side main harness connectors526, 528, 530, and 532 are the same four-pin female connectors.

The first right auxiliary harness 560 has a first right auxiliaryharness connector 576 which is a four-pin female connector which willplug into the first right main harness connector 518 of the main vehicleharness portion 500. The first right main harness connector 518 and thefirst right auxiliary harness connector 576 may be color coded in afirst color. The first right auxiliary harness 560 also has a headlightpower connector 578 at the end opposite the first right auxiliaryharness connector 576. Pins 1, 3, and 4 of the first right auxiliaryharness connector 576 are respectively connected to Pins 1, 2, and 3 ofthe headlight power connector 578. The headlight power connector 578 isthen plugged into the headlight plug 40.

The second right auxiliary harness 562 has a second right auxiliaryharness connector 580 which is a four-pin female connector which willplug into the second right main harness connector 520 of the mainvehicle harness portion 500. The second right main harness connector 520and the second right auxiliary harness connector 580 may be color codedin a second color. The second right auxiliary harness 562 also has aheadlight connector 582 at the end opposite the second right auxiliaryharness connector 580. Pins 1, 2, and 4 of the second right auxiliaryharness connector 580 are respectively connected to Pins 3, 2, and 1 ofthe headlight connector 582. The headlight connector 582 is then pluggedinto the connector element 34 of the headlight 32.

The third right auxiliary harness 564 has a third right auxiliaryharness connector 584 which is a four-pin female connector which willplug into the third right main harness connector 522 of the main vehicleharness portion 500. The third right main harness connector 522 and thethird right auxiliary harness connector 584 may be color coded in athird color. The third right auxiliary harness 564 also has aparking/turn light power connector 586 at the end opposite the thirdright auxiliary harness connector 584. Pins 1, 2, and 4 of the thirdright auxiliary harness connector 584 are respectively connected to Pins1, 2, and 3 of the parking/turn light power connector 586. Theparking/turn light power connector 586 is then plugged into theparking/turn plug 334.

The fourth right auxiliary harness 566 has a fourth right auxiliaryharness connector 588 which is a four-pin female connector which willplug into the fourth right main harness connector 524 of the mainvehicle harness portion 500. The fourth right main harness connector 524and the fourth right auxiliary harness connector 588 may be color codedin a fourth color. The fourth right auxiliary harness 566 also has aparking/turn light connector 590 at the end opposite the fourth rightauxiliary harness connector 588. Pins 1, 3, and 4 of the fourth rightauxiliary harness connector 588 are respectively connected to Pins 3, 2,and 1 of the parking/turn light connector 590. The parking/turn lightconnector 590 is then plugged into the connector element 330 of theparking/turn light 44.

The first left auxiliary harness 568 has a first left auxiliary harnessconnector 592 which is a four-pin female connector which will plug intothe first left main harness connector 526 of the main vehicle harnessportion 500. The first left main harness connector 526 and the firstleft auxiliary harness connector 592 may be color coded in a firstcolor. The first left auxiliary harness 568 also has a headlight powerconnector 594 at the end opposite the first left auxiliary harnessconnector 592. Pins 1, 2, and 4 of the first left auxiliary harnessconnector 592 are respectively connected to Pins 3, 2, and 1 of theheadlight power connector 594. The headlight power connector 594 is thenplugged into the headlight plug 42.

The second left auxiliary harness 570 has a second left auxiliaryharness connector 596 which is a four-pin female connector which willplug into the second left main harness connector 528 of the main vehicleharness portion 500. The second left main harness connector 528 and thesecond left auxiliary harness connector 596 may be color coded in asecond color. The second left auxiliary harness 570 also has a headlightconnector 598 at the end opposite the second left auxiliary harnessconnector 596. Pins 1, 3, and 4 of the second left auxiliary harnessconnector 596 are respectively connected to Pins 1, 2, and 3 of theheadlight connector 598. The headlight connector 598 is then pluggedinto the connector element 38 of the headlight 36.

The third left auxiliary harness 572 has a third left auxiliary harnessconnector 600 which is a four-pin female connector which will plug intothe third left main harness connector 530 of the main vehicle harnessportion 500. The third left main harness connector 530 and the thirdleft auxiliary harness connector 600 may be color coded in a thirdcolor. The third left auxiliary harness 572 also has a parking/turnlight power connector 602 at the end opposite the third left auxiliaryharness connector 600. Pins 1, 3, and 4 the third left auxiliary harnessconnector 600 are respectively connected to Pins 3, 2, and 1 of theparking/turn light power connector 602. The parking/turn light powerconnector 602 is then plugged into the parking/turn plug 336.

The fourth left auxiliary harness 574 has a fourth left auxiliaryharness connector 604 which is a four-pin female connector which willplug into the fourth left main harness connector 532 of the main vehicleharness portion 500. The fourth left main harness connector 532 and thefourth left auxiliary harness connector 604 may be color coded in afourth color. The fourth left auxiliary harness 574 also has aparking/turn light connector 606 at the end opposite the fourth leftauxiliary harness connector 604. Pins 1, 2, and 4 of the fourth leftauxiliary harness connector 604 are respectively connected to Pins 1, 2,and 3 of the parking/turn light connector 606. The parking/turn lightconnector 606 is then plugged into the connector element 332 of theparking/turn light 46.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the secondembodiment of the reconfigurable independent lighting energyinterruption system illustrated in FIG. 21 includes the first throughfourth right side auxiliary harnesses 560, 562, 564, and 566 and thefirst through fourth left side auxiliary harnesses 568, 570, 572, and574 which may be installed by simply plugging the connectors of thefirst through fourth right side auxiliary harnesses 560, 562, 564, and566 and the first through fourth left side auxiliary harnesses 568, 570,572, and 574 into the existing connectors of the electrical wiring ofthe illumination system of the vehicle 30′. Like the first embodiment,the second embodiment operates by switching the hot leads from the highand low beams in the headlights 32 and 36 of the vehicle 30′ to the highand low beams in the headlights 52 and 54 of the vehicle accessory 50(shown in FIG. 15), and switching the hot leads from the parking lightsand turn signals in the parking/turn lights 44 and 46 of the vehicle 30′to the parking lights and turn signals in the parking/turn lights 56 and58 of the vehicle accessory 50.

The second embodiment of the reconfigurable independent lighting energyinterruption system may be put into a second configuration (which isused when the vehicle accessory 50 is connected to the vehicle 30′).When right side vehicle harness connector 534 is connected to the rightside accessory connector 324 (shown in FIG. 15) and the left sidevehicle harness connector 536 is connected to the left side accessoryconnector 326 (also shown in FIG. 15), the headlights 52 and 54 and theparking/turn lights 56 and 58 of the vehicle accessory 50 will beoperative, and the headlights 32 and 36 of the vehicle 30′ and theparking/turn light 44 and 46 will not be operative.

Referring now to FIG. 22, a third embodiment of the reconfigurableindependent lighting energy interruption system is illustrated whichwill be used with a vehicle 30′ which has a different type of connectorused to make the lighting connections for the headlights in the vehicle30′. The vehicle 30′ is shown as having the parking/turn plug 334 whichwould be connected to the connector element 330 of the parking/turnlight 44 and the parking/turn plug 336 which would be connected to theconnector element 332 of the parking/turn light 46.

In this particular vehicle 30′, the high and low beams are two discretelights rather than both being included in a single unit. The vehicle 30′is shown as having the high beam headlight plug 394 which would beconnected to the connector element 380 of the high beam headlight 378and the low beam headlight plug 396 which would be connected to theconnector element 384 of the low beam headlight 382 on the right side ofthe vehicle 30′, and the high beam headlight plug 398 which would beconnected to the connector element 388 of the high beam headlight 386and the low beam headlight plug 400 which would be connected to theconnector element 392 of the low beam headlight 390 on the left side ofthe vehicle 30′.

The embodiment of the reconfigurable independent lighting energyinterruption system shown in FIG. 22 consists of the main vehicleharness portion 500, the third and fourth right side auxiliary harnesses564 and 566 and the third and fourth left auxiliary harnesses 572 and574 used in the embodiment of FIG. 21, and first and second right sideauxiliary harnesses 610 and 612, respectively, and first and second leftside auxiliary harnesses 614 and 616, respectively. The first throughfourth right side auxiliary harnesses 610, 612, 564, and 566 act asinterfaces between the main vehicle harness portion 500, the electricalsystem of the vehicle, and the right side lights of the vehicle, and thefirst through fourth left side auxiliary harnesses 614, 616, 572, and574 act as interfaces between the main vehicle harness portion 500, theelectrical system of the vehicle, and the left side lights of thevehicle.

The construction and operation of the main vehicle harness portion 500with the vehicle accessory 50 is the same as described in conjunctionwith the embodiments of FIGS. 20 and 21. The first through fourth rightside main harness connectors 518, 520, 522, and 524 are the samefour-pin male connectors. The first through fourth left side mainharness connectors 526, 528, 530, and 532 are the same four-pin femaleconnectors.

The first right auxiliary harness 610 has a first right auxiliaryharness connector 618 which is a four-pin female connector which willplug into the first right main harness connector 518 of the main vehicleharness portion 500. The first right main harness connector 518 and thefirst right auxiliary harness connector 618 may be color coded in afirst color. The first right auxiliary harness 610 also has a high beamheadlight power connector 620 and a low beam headlight power connector622 at ends opposite the first right auxiliary harness connector 618.Pins 1 and 2 of the first right auxiliary harness connector 618 arerespectively connected to Pins H and C of the high beam headlight powerconnector 620, and Pins 3 and 4 of the first right auxiliary harnessconnector 618 are respectively connected to Pins C and L of the low beamheadlight power connector 622. The high beam headlight power connector620 is then plugged into the high beam headlight plug 394, and the lowbeam headlight power connector 622 is then plugged into the low beamheadlight plug 396.

The second right auxiliary harness 612 has a second right auxiliaryharness connector 624 which is a four-pin female connector which willplug into the second right main harness connector 520 of the mainvehicle harness portion 500. The second right main harness connector 520and the second right auxiliary harness connector 624 may be color codedin a second color. The second right auxiliary harness 612 also has ahigh beam headlight connector 626 and a low beam headlight connector 628at ends opposite the second right auxiliary harness connector 624. Pins1 and 2 of the second right auxiliary harness connector 624 arerespectively connected to Pins L and C of the low beam headlightconnector 628, and Pins 3 and 4 of the second right auxiliary harnessconnector 624 are respectively connected to Pins C and H of the highbeam headlight connector 626. The high beam headlight connector 626 isthen plugged into the connector 380 of the high beam headlight 378, andthe low beam headlight connector 628 is then plugged into the connector384 of the low beam headlight 382.

The first left auxiliary harness 614 has a first left auxiliary harnessconnector 630 which is a four-pin female connector which will plug intothe first left main harness connector 526 of the main vehicle harnessportion 500. The first left main harness connector 526 and the firstleft auxiliary harness connector 630 may be color coded in a firstcolor. The first left auxiliary harness 614 also has a high beamheadlight power connector 632 and a low beam headlight power connector634 at ends opposite the first left auxiliary harness connector 630.Pins 1 and 2 of the first left auxiliary harness connector 630 arerespectively connected to Pins L and C of the low beam headlight powerconnector 634, and Pins 3 and 4 of the first left auxiliary harnessconnector 630 are respectively connected to Pins C and H of the highbeam headlight power connector 632. The high beam headlight powerconnector 632 is then plugged into the high beam headlight plug 398, andthe low beam headlight power connector 634 is then plugged into the lowbeam headlight plug 400.

The second left auxiliary harness 616 has a second left auxiliaryharness connector 636 which is a four-pin female connector which willplug into the second left main harness connector 528 of the main vehicleharness portion 500. The second left main harness connector 528 and thesecond left auxiliary harness connector 636 may be color coded in asecond color. The second left auxiliary harness 616 also has a high beamheadlight connector 638 and a low beam headlight connector 640 at endsopposite the second left auxiliary harness connector 636. Pins 1 and 2of the second left auxiliary harness connector 636 are respectivelyconnected to Pins H and C of the high beam headlight connector 638, andPins 3 and 4 of the second left auxiliary harness connector 636 arerespectively connected to Pins C and L of the low beam headlightconnector 640. The high beam headlight connector 638 is then pluggedinto the connector 388 of the high beam headlight 386, and the low beamheadlight connector 640 is then plugged into the connector 392 of thelow beam headlight 390.

The third and fourth right auxiliary harnesses 564 and 566 and the thirdand fourth left auxiliary harnesses 572 and 574 have the sameconstruction and installation as described in conjunction with theembodiment of FIG. 21.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the thirdembodiment of the reconfigurable independent lighting energyinterruption system illustrated in FIG. 22 includes the first throughfourth right side auxiliary harnesses 610, 612, 564, and 566 and thefirst through fourth left side auxiliary harnesses 614, 616, 572, and574 which may be installed by simply plugging the connectors of thefirst through fourth right side auxiliary harnesses 610, 612, 564, and566 and the first through fourth left side auxiliary harnesses 614, 616,572, and 574 into the existing connectors of the electrical wiring ofthe illumination system of the vehicle 30′. Like the first and secondembodiments, the third embodiment operates by switching the hot leadsfrom the high and low beams in the headlights 378, 382, 386, and 390 ofthe vehicle 30′ to the high and low beams in the headlights 52 and 54 ofthe vehicle accessory 50 (shown in FIG. 15), and switching the hot leadsfrom the parking lights and turn signals in the parking/turn lights 44and 46 of the vehicle 30′ to the parking lights and turn signals in theparking/turn lights 56 and 58 of the vehicle accessory 50.

The third embodiment of the reconfigurable independent lighting energyinterruption system may be put into a second configuration (which isused when the vehicle accessory 50 is connected to the vehicle 30′).When right side vehicle harness connector 534 is connected to the rightside accessory connector 324 (shown in FIG. 15) and the left sidevehicle harness connector 536 is connected to the left side accessoryconnector 326 (also shown in FIG. 15), the headlights 52 and 54 and theparking/turn lights 56 and 58 of the vehicle accessory 50 will beoperative, and the headlights 378, 382, 386, and 390 of the vehicle 30′and the parking/turn lights 44 and 46 will not be operative.

Referring now to FIG. 23, a fourth embodiment of the reconfigurableindependent lighting energy interruption system is illustrated whichwill be used with a vehicle 30′ which has a different type of connectorused to make the lighting connections for the headlights in the vehicle30′. The vehicle 30′ being shown as having the high beam headlight plug394 which would be connected to the connector element 380 of the highbeam headlight 378 and the low beam headlight plug 396 which would beconnected to the connector element 384 of the low beam headlight 382 onthe right side of the vehicle 30′, and the high beam headlight plug 398which would be connected to the connector element 388 of the high beamheadlight 386 and the low beam headlight plug 400 which would beconnected to the connector element 392 of the low beam headlight 390 onthe left side of the vehicle 30′.

In this particular vehicle 30′, the parking and turn lights are twodiscrete lights rather than both being included in a single unit. Thevehicle 30′ is shown as having the parking light plug 444 which would beconnected to the connector 430 of the parking light 428 and the rightturn light plug 446 which would be connected to the connector 434 of theright turn light 432 on the right side of the vehicle 30′, and theparking light plug 448 which would be connected to the connector 438 ofthe parking light 436 and the left turn light plug 450 which would beconnected to the connector 442 of the left turn light 440 on the leftside of the vehicle 30′.

The embodiment of the reconfigurable independent lighting energyinterruption system shown in FIG. 23 consists of the main vehicleharness portion 500, the first and second right side auxiliary harnesses610 and 612 and the first and second left auxiliary harnesses 614 and616 used in the embodiment of FIG. 22, and third and fourth right sideauxiliary harnesses 650 and 652, respectively, and third and fourth leftside auxiliary harnesses 654 and 656, respectively. The first throughfourth right side auxiliary harnesses 610, 612, 650, and 652 act asinterfaces between the main vehicle harness portion 500, the electricalsystem of the vehicle, and the right side lights of the vehicle, and thefirst through fourth left side auxiliary harnesses 614, 616, 654, and656 act as interfaces between the main vehicle harness portion 500, theelectrical system of the vehicle, and the left side lights of thevehicle.

The construction and operation of the main vehicle harness portion 500with the vehicle accessory 50 is the same as described in conjunctionwith the embodiments of FIGS. 20 through 22. The first through fourthright side main harness connectors 518, 520, 522, and 524 are the samefour-pin male connectors. The first through fourth left side mainharness connectors 526, 528, 530, and 532 are the same four-pin femaleconnectors.

The third right auxiliary harness 650 has a third right auxiliaryharness connector 658 which is a four-pin female connector which willplug into the third right main harness connector 522 of the main vehicleharness portion 500. The third right main harness connector 522 and thethird right auxiliary harness connector 658 may be color coded in athird color. The third right auxiliary harness 650 also has a parkinglight power connector 660 and a right turn light power connector 662 atends opposite the third right auxiliary harness connector 658. Pins 1and 2 of the third right auxiliary harness connector 658 arerespectively connected to Pins P and G of the parking light powerconnector 660, and Pins 3 and 4 of the third right auxiliary harnessconnector 658 are respectively connected to Pins G and T of the rightturn light power connector 662. The parking light power connector 660 isthen plugged into the parking light plug 444, and the right turn lightpower connector 662 is then plugged into the right turn light plug 446.

The fourth right auxiliary harness 652 has a fourth right auxiliaryharness connector 664 which is a four-pin female connector which willplug into the fourth right main harness connector 524 of the mainvehicle harness portion 500. The fourth right main harness connector 524and the fourth right auxiliary harness connector 664 may be color codedin a fourth color. The fourth right auxiliary harness 652 also has aparking light connector 666 and a right turn light connector 668 at endsopposite the fourth right auxiliary harness connector 664. Pins 1 and 2of the fourth right auxiliary harness connector 664 are respectivelyconnected to Pins T and G of the right turn light connector 668, andPins 3 and 4 of the fourth right auxiliary harness connector 664 arerespectively connected to Pins G and P of the parking light connector666. The parking light connector 666 is then plugged into the connector430 of the parking light 428, and the right turn light connector 668 isthen plugged into the connector 434 of the right turn light 432.

The third left auxiliary harness 654 has a third left auxiliary harnessconnector 670 which is a four-pin female connector which will plug intothe third left main harness connector 530 of the main vehicle harnessportion 500. The third left main harness connector 530 and the thirdleft auxiliary harness connector 670 may be color coded in a thirdcolor. The third left auxiliary harness 654 also has a parking lightpower connector 672 and a left turn light power connector 674 at endsopposite the third left auxiliary harness connector 670. Pins 1 and 2 ofthe third left auxiliary harness connector 670 are respectivelyconnected to Pins T and G of the left turn light power connector 674,and Pins 3 and 4 of the third left auxiliary harness connector 670 arerespectively connected to Pins G and P of the parking light powerconnector 672. The parking light power connector 672 is then pluggedinto the parking light plug 448, and the left turn light power connector674 is then plugged into the left turn light plug 450.

The fourth left auxiliary harness 656 has a fourth left auxiliaryharness connector 676 which is a four-pin female connector which willplug into the fourth left main harness connector 532 of the main vehicleharness portion 500. The fourth left main harness connector 532 and thefourth left auxiliary harness connector 676 may be color coded in afourth color. The fourth left auxiliary harness 656 also has a parkinglight connector 678 and a left turn light connector 680 at ends oppositethe fourth left auxiliary harness connector 676. Pins 1 and 2 of thefourth left auxiliary harness connector 676 are respectively connectedto Pins P and G of the parking light connector 678, and Pins 3 and 4 ofthe fourth left auxiliary harness connector 676 are respectivelyconnected to Pins G and T of the left turn light connector 680. Theparking light connector 678 is then plugged into the connector 438 ofthe parking light 436, and the left turn light connector 680 is thenplugged into the connector 442 of the left turn light 440.

The first and second right auxiliary harnesses 610 and 612 and the firstand second left auxiliary harnesses 614 and 616 have the sameconstruction and installation as described in conjunction with theembodiment of FIG. 22.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the fourthembodiment of the reconfigurable independent lighting energyinterruption system illustrated in FIG. 23 includes the first throughfourth right side auxiliary harnesses 610, 612, 650, and 652 and thefirst through fourth left side auxiliary harnesses 614, 616, 654, and656 which may be installed by simply plugging the connectors of thefirst through fourth right side auxiliary harnesses 610, 612, 650, and652 and the first through fourth left side auxiliary harnesses 614, 616,654, and 656 into the existing connectors of the electrical wiring ofthe illumination system of the vehicle 30′. Like the first threeembodiments, the fourth embodiment operates by switching the hot leadsfrom the high and low beams in the headlights 378, 382, 386, and 390 ofthe vehicle 30′ to the high and low beams in the headlights 52 and 54 ofthe vehicle accessory 50 (shown in FIG. 15), and switching the hot leadsfrom the parking lights and turn signals in the parking lights 428 and436 and the turn lights 432 and 440 of the vehicle 30′ to the parkinglights and turn signals in the parking/turn lights 56 and 58 of thevehicle accessory 50.

The fourth embodiment of the reconfigurable independent lighting energyinterruption system may be put into a second configuration (which isused when the vehicle accessory 50 is connected to the vehicle 30′).When right side vehicle harness connector 534 is connected to the rightside accessory connector 324 (shown in FIG. 15) and the left sidevehicle harness connector 536 is connected to the left side accessoryconnector 326 (also shown in FIG. 15), the headlights 52 and 54 and theparking/turn lights 56 and 58 of the vehicle accessory 50 will beoperative, and the headlights 378, 382, 386, and 390 of the vehicle 30′and the parking lights 428 and 436 and the turn lights 432 and 440 willnot be operative.

Referring now to FIG. 24, the fourth embodiment of the reconfigurableindependent lighting energy interruption system, which was illustratedin FIG. 23, is illustrated in simplified form as it would likely appear,with the same reference numerals used in FIG. 23 being used in FIG. 24.The right side vehicle harness connector 534 is shown in position forconnection to the right side accessory connector 324 to operate theheadlight 52 and the parking/turn light 56 on the vehicle accessory 50(the vehicle accessory 50 is not shown in FIG. 24), and the left sidevehicle harness connector 536 is shown in position for connection to theleft side accessory connector 326 to operate the headlight 54 and theparking/turn light 58 on the vehicle accessory 50.

In this position, the high beam headlight 378, the low beam headlight382, the high beam headlight 386, the low beam headlight 390, theparking light 428, the right turn light 432, the parking light 436, andthe left turn light 440 of the vehicle 30′(the vehicle 30′ is not shownin FIG. 24) will be inoperative. The right side vehicle harnessconnector 534 and the left side vehicle harness connector 536 are shownin position for connection together in phantom lines to render the highbeam headlight 378, the low beam headlight 382, the high beam headlight386, the low beam headlight 390, the parking light 428, the right turnlight 432, the parking light 436, and the left turn light 440 operativewhen the vehicle accessory 50 has been removed from the vehicle 30′.

Referring next to FIG. 25, an alternate embodiment of the reconfigurableindependent lighting energy interruption system is illustrated whichwill be used with a vehicle 30′ which has direct interface light wiringharnesses used in its lighting system. Some late model pickup trucks(such as late model Chevrolet Colorado trucks, GMS canyon trucks, andNissan Titan trucks) use right and left direct interface light wiringharnesses 690 and 692, respectively, each being a single wiring harnessthat is used for one side of the front lighting system of the truck.

The right direct interface light wiring harness 690 would be connectedto a right light plug 694 supplying electrical power to the right frontlighting system of the truck. The right direct interface light wiringharness 690 has a right light power connector 696 which would beconnected to the right light plug 694 at one end thereof. The rightlight plug 694 is a six-pin female connector and the right light powerconnector 696 is a six-pin male connector. The right direct interfacelight wiring harness 690 also has a high beam headlight connector 698, alow beam headlight connector 700, and a parking/turn light connector 702at ends of the right direct interface light wiring harness 690 oppositethe right light power connector 696. Pins P, G, and T of the right lightpower connector 696 are respectively connected to Pins P, G, and T ofthe parking/turn light connector 702. Pins H and C of the right lightpower connector 696 are respectively connected to Pins H and C of thehigh beam headlight connector 698, and Pins C and L of the right lightpower connector 696 are respectively connected to Pins C and L of thelow beam headlight connector 700.

The left direct interface light wiring harness 692 would be connected toa left light plug 704 supplying electrical power to the left frontlighting system of the truck. The left direct interface light wiringharness 692 has a left light power connector 706 which would beconnected to the left light plug 704 at one end thereof. The left lightplug 704 is a six-pin female connector and the left light powerconnector 706 is a six-pin male connector. The left direct interfacelight wiring harness 692 also has a high beam headlight connector 708, alow beam headlight connector 710, and a parking/turn light connector 712at ends of the left direct interface light wiring harness 692 oppositethe left light power connector 706. Pins H and C of the left light powerconnector 706 are respectively connected to Pins H and C of the highbeam headlight connector 708, and Pins C and L of the left light powerconnector 706 are respectively connected to Pins C and L of the low beamheadlight connector 710. Pins P, G, and T of the left light powerconnector 706 are respectively connected to Pins P, G, and T of theparking/turn light connector 712.

The embodiment of the reconfigurable independent lighting energyinterruption system shown in FIG. 25 consists of the main vehicleharness portion 300 (which was used in the embodiments of FIGS. 14through 19), a right auxiliary harness 714, and a left auxiliary harness716. The right auxiliary harness 714 acts as an interface between themain vehicle harness portion 300, the electrical system of the vehicle,and the right side lights of the vehicle, and the left auxiliary harness716 acts as an interface between the main vehicle harness portion 300,the electrical system of the vehicle, and the left side lights of thevehicle.

The construction and operation of the main vehicle harness portion 300with the vehicle accessory 50 is the same as described in conjunctionwith the embodiment of FIGS. 14 through 19. The right side main harnessconnector 306 is the same ten-pin male connector. The left side mainharness connector 308 is the same ten-pin female connector.

The right auxiliary harness connector 718 has a right light connector722 which is a ten-pin female connector which will plug into the rightside main harness connector 306 of the main vehicle harness portion 300.The right auxiliary harness 714 also has a right light power connector720 and a right light connector 722 at ends opposite the right auxiliaryharness connector 718. The right light power connector 720 is a six-pinmale connector and the right light connector 722 is a six-pin femaleconnector.

Pins 3, 4, 5, and 7 of the right auxiliary harness connector 718 arerespectively connected to Pins H, L, T, and P of the right light powerconnector 720, and Pins 1, 6, 8, and 9 of the right auxiliary harnessconnector 718 are respectively connected to Pins T, P, H, and L of theright light connector 722. Pin 2 of the right auxiliary harnessconnector 718 is connected both to Pin C of the right light powerconnector 720 and Pin C of the right light connector 722, and Pin 10 ofthe right auxiliary harness connector 718 is connected both to Pin G ofthe right light power connector 720 and Pin G of the right lightconnector 722. The right light power connector 720 is then plugged intothe right light plug 694, and the right light connector 722 is thenplugged into the right light power connector 696.

The left auxiliary harness 716 has a left auxiliary harness connector724 which is a ten-pin female connector which will plug into 308 of themain vehicle harness portion 300. The left auxiliary harness 716 alsohas a the light power connector 726 and a left light connector 728 atends opposite the left auxiliary harness connector 724. The left lightpower connector 726 is a six-pin male connector and the left lightconnector 728 is a six-pin female connector.

Pins 5, 6, 8, and 9 of the left auxiliary harness connector 724 arerespectively connected to Pins T, P, H, and L of the left light powerconnector 726, and Pins 1, 3, 4, and 7 of the left auxiliary harnessconnector 724 are respectively connected to Pins T, H, L, and P of theleft light connector 728. Pin 2 of the left auxiliary harness connector724 is connected both to Pin C of the left light power connector 726 andPin C of the left light connector 728, and Pin 10 of the left auxiliaryharness connector 724 is connected both to Pin G of the left light powerconnector 726 and Pin G of the left light connector 728. The left lightpower connector 726 is then plugged into the left light plug 704, andthe left light connector 728 is then plugged into the left light powerconnector 706.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the alternateembodiment of the reconfigurable independent lighting energyinterruption system illustrated in FIG. 25 includes the right auxiliaryharness 714 and the left auxiliary harness 716 which may be installed bysimply plugging the connectors of the right auxiliary harness 714 andthe left auxiliary harness 716 into the existing connectors of theelectrical wiring of the illumination system of the vehicle 30′. Likethe first four embodiments of FIGS. 20 through 24, the alternateembodiment operates by switching the hot leads from the high and lowbeams in the headlights 378, 382, 386, and 390 of the vehicle 30′ to thehigh and low beams in the headlights 52 and 54 of the vehicle accessory50 (shown in FIG. 15), and switching the hot leads from the parkinglights and turn signals in the parking/turn lights 44 and 46 of thevehicle 30′ to the parking lights and turn signals in the parking/turnlights 56 and 58 of the vehicle accessory 50

The alternate embodiment of the reconfigurable independent lightingenergy interruption system may be put into a second configuration (whichis used when the vehicle accessory 50 is connected to the vehicle 30′).When the right side vehicle harness connector 310 is connected to theright side accessory connector 324 (shown in FIG. 15) and the left sidevehicle harness connector 312 is connected to the left side accessoryconnector 326 (also shown in FIG. 15), the headlights 52 and 54 and theparking/turn lights 56 and 58 of the vehicle accessory 50 will beoperative, and the headlights 378, 382, 386, and 390 of the vehicle 30′and the parking/turn lights 44 and 46 will not be operative.

Referring now to FIG. 26, the alternate embodiment of the reconfigurableindependent lighting energy interruption system, which was illustratedin FIG. 25, is illustrated in simplified form as it would likely appear,with the same reference numerals used in FIG. 25 being used in FIG. 26.The right side vehicle harness connector 310 is shown in position forconnection to the right side accessory connector 324 to operate theheadlight 52 and the parking/turn light 56 on the vehicle accessory 50(the vehicle accessory 50 is not shown in FIG. 26), and the left sidevehicle harness connector 312 is shown in position for connection to theleft side accessory connector 326 to operate the headlight 54 and theparking/turn light 58 on the vehicle accessory 50.

In this position, the high beam headlight 378, the low beam headlight382, the high beam headlight 386, the low beam headlight 390, theparking/turn light 44, and the parking/turn light 46 of the vehicle 30′(the vehicle 30′ is not shown in FIG. 24) will be inoperative. The rightside vehicle harness connector 310 and the left side vehicle harnessconnector 312 are shown in position for connection together in phantomlines to render the high beam headlight 378, the low beam headlight 382,the high beam headlight 386, the low beam headlight 390, theparking/turn light 44, and the parking/turn light 46 operative when thevehicle accessory 50 has been removed from the vehicle 30′.

Referring next to FIG. 27, the schematic depiction of the independentlighting system shown in FIG. 5 has been modified to prevent theoccurrence of a vehicle malfunction in the event that the right sidefirst harness portion 100 and the left side first harness portion 102are disconnected with the vehicle lights on. A right high beam resistor730 is connected between the high beam feed of the headlight powerconnector 110 and the high beam lead of the headlight connector 108. Aright low beam resistor 732 is connected between the low beam feed ofthe headlight power connector 110 and the low beam lead of the headlightconnector 108.

The resistors 730 and 732 are typically each between approximately 500Ohms and approximately 2,000 Ohms, and may preferably each beapproximately 1,000 Ohms. The resistors 730 and 732 operate topermanently keep the high and low beams of the headlight 32 in thelighting circuit, although the resistors 730 and 732 are too high toallow the high and low beams of the headlight 32 to be fully illuminatedwhen the right side first harness portion 100 and the left side firstharness portion 102 are disconnected from each other.

Referring now to FIG. 28, the schematic depiction of the independentlighting system shown in FIG. 11 has been modified to prevent theoccurrence of a vehicle malfunction in the event that the jumperedconnector 236 is disconnected from the first harness portion 220 withthe vehicle lights on. A right high beam resistor 740 is connectedbetween the high beam feed of the headlight power connector 226 and thehigh beam lead of the headlight connector 224. A right low beam resistor742 is connected between the low beam feed of the headlight powerconnector 226 and the low beam lead of the headlight connector 224. Ajumper is installed between the common feed of the headlight powerconnector 226 and the common lead of the headlight connector 224.

A left high beam resistor 744 is connected between the high beam feed ofthe headlight power connector 230 and the high beam lead of theheadlight connector 228. A left low beam resistor 746 is connectedbetween the low beam feed of the headlight power connector 230 and thelow beam lead of the headlight connector 228. A jumper is installedbetween the common feed of the headlight power connector 230 and thecommon lead of the headlight connector 228.

The resistors 740, 742, 744, and 746 are typically each betweenapproximately 500 Ohms and approximately 2,000 Ohms, and may preferablyeach be approximately 1,000 Ohms. The resistors 740 and 742 operate topermanently keep the high and low beams of the headlight 32 in thelighting circuit, although the resistors 740 and 742 are too high toallow the high and low beams of the headlight 32 to be fully illuminatedwhen the jumpered connector 236 is disconnected from the first harnessportion 220. The resistors 744 and 746 operate to permanently keep thehigh and low beams of the headlight 36 in the lighting circuit, althoughthe resistors 744 and 7462 are too high to allow the high and low beamsof the headlight 36 to be fully illuminated when the jumpered connector236 is disconnected from the first harness portion 220.

Referring next to FIG. 29, the schematic depiction of the independentlighting system shown in FIG. 18 has been modified to prevent theoccurrence of a vehicle malfunction in the event that the right sidevehicle harness connector 310 and the left side vehicle harnessconnector 312 are disconnected with the vehicle lights on. A right highbeam resistor 750 is connected between the high beam feed of the highbeam headlight power connector 404 and the high beam lead of the highbeam headlight connector 402. A right low beam resistor 752 is connectedbetween the low beam feed of the low beam headlight power connector 408and the low beam headlight connector 406. A left high beam resistor 754is connected between the high beam feed of the high beam headlight powerconnector 412 and the high beam lead of the high beam headlightconnector 410. A left low beam resistor 756 is connected between the lowbeam feed of the low beam headlight power connector 416 and the low beamlead of the low beam headlight connector 414.

A right parking light resistor 758 is connected between the parkinglight feed of the parking light power connector 454 and the parkinglight lead of the parking light connector 452. A left parking lightresistor 760 is connected between the parking light feed of the parkinglight power connector 462 and the parking light lead of the parkinglight connector 460. A right turn signal resistor 762 is connectedbetween the right turn light feed of the right turn light powerconnector 458 and the right turn light lead of the right turn lightconnector 456. A left turn signal light resistor 764 is connectedbetween the left turn light feed of the left turn light power connector466 and the left turn light lead of the left turn light connector 464.

The resistors 750, 752, 754, 756, 758, 760, 762, and 764 are typicallyeach between approximately 500 Ohms and approximately 2,000 Ohms, andmay preferably each be approximately 1,000 Ohms. The resistors 750 and752 operate to permanently keep the high beam headlight 378 and the lowbeam headlight 382 in the lighting circuit, although the resistors 750and 752 are too high to allow the high beam headlight 378 and the lowbeam headlight 382 to be fully illuminated when the right side vehicleharness connector 310 and the left side vehicle harness connector 312are disconnected. The resistors 754 and 756 operate to permanently keepthe high beam headlight 386 and the low beam headlight 390 in thelighting circuit, although the resistors 754 and 756 are too high toallow the high beam headlight 386 and the low beam headlight 390 to befully illuminated when the right side vehicle harness connector 310 andthe left side vehicle harness connector 312 are disconnected.

The resistors 758 and 760 operate to permanently keep the parking light428 and the parking light 436 in the lighting circuit, although theresistors 758 and 760 are too high to allow the parking light 428 andthe parking light 436 to be fully illuminated when the right sidevehicle harness connector 310 and the left side vehicle harnessconnector 312 are disconnected. The resistors 762 and 764 operate topermanently keep the right turn light 432 and the left turn light 440 inthe lighting circuit, although the resistors 762 and 764 are too high toallow the right turn light 432 and the left turn light 440 to be fullyilluminated when the right side vehicle harness connector 310 and theleft side vehicle harness connector 312 are disconnected.

Referring now to FIG. 30, the schematic depiction of the independentlighting system shown in FIG. 23 has been modified to prevent theoccurrence of a vehicle malfunction in the event that the right sidevehicle harness connector 534 and the left side vehicle harnessconnector 536 are disconnected with the vehicle lights on. In theembodiment shown in FIG. 30, all of the resistors are located in themain vehicle harness portion 500. A right high beam resistor 770 isconnected between the high beam feed of the high beam headlight powerconnector 620 and the high beam lead of the high beam headlightconnector 626. A right low beam resistor 772 is connected between thelow beam feed of the low beam headlight power connector 622 and the lowbeam headlight connector 628. A left high beam resistor 774 is connectedbetween the high beam feed of the high beam headlight power connector632 and the high beam lead of the high beam headlight connector 638. Aleft low beam resistor 776 is connected between the low beam feed of thelow beam headlight power connector 634 and the low beam lead of the lowbeam headlight connector 640.

A right parking light resistor 778 is connected between the parkinglight feed of the parking light power connector 660 and the parkinglight lead of the parking light connector 666. A left parking lightresistor 780 is connected between the parking light feed of the parkinglight power connector 672 and the parking light lead of the parkinglight connector 678. A right turn signal resistor 782 is connectedbetween the right turn light feed of the right turn light powerconnector 662 and the right turn light lead of the right turn lightconnector 668. A left parking light resistor 784 is connected betweenthe left turn light feed of the left turn light power connector 674 andthe left turn light lead of the left turn light connector 680.

The resistors 770, 772, 774, 776, 778, 780, 782, and 784 are typicallyeach between approximately 500 Ohms and approximately 2,000 Ohms, andmay preferably each be approximately 1,000 Ohms. The resistors 770 and772 operate to permanently keep the high beam headlight 378 and the lowbeam headlight 382 in the lighting circuit, although the resistors 770and 772 are too high to allow the high beam headlight 378 and the lowbeam headlight 382 to be fully illuminated when the right side vehicleharness connector 534 and the left side vehicle harness connector 536are disconnected. The resistors 774 and 776 operate to permanently keepthe high beam headlight 386 and the low beam headlight 390 in thelighting circuit, although the resistors 774 and 776 are too high toallow the high beam headlight 386 and the low beam headlight 390 to befully illuminated when the right side vehicle harness connector 534 andthe left side vehicle harness connector 536 are disconnected.

The resistors 778 and 780 operate to permanently keep the parking light428 and the parking light 436 in the lighting circuit, although theresistors 778 and 780 are too high to allow the parking light 428 andthe parking light 436 to be fully illuminated when the right sidevehicle harness connector 534 and the left side vehicle harnessconnector 536 are disconnected. The resistors 782 and 784 operate topermanently keep the right turn light 432 and the left turn light 440 inthe lighting circuit, although the resistors 782 and 784 are too high toallow the right turn light 432 and the left turn light 440 to be fullyilluminated when the right side vehicle harness connector 534 and theleft side vehicle harness connector 536 are disconnected.

Referring finally to FIG. 31, the schematic depiction of the independentlighting system shown in FIG. 25 has been modified to prevent theoccurrence of a vehicle malfunction in the event that the right sidevehicle harness connector 310 and the left side vehicle harnessconnector 312 are disconnected with the vehicle lights on. In theembodiment shown in FIG. 30, all of the resistors are located in theright auxiliary harness 714 and the left auxiliary harness 716. A righthigh beam resistor 790 is connected between pin H of the right lightconnector 722 and pin H of the right light power connector 720. A rightlow beam resistor 792 is connected between pin L of the right lightconnector 722 and pin L of the right light power connector 720. A lefthigh beam resistor 794 is connected between pin H of the left lightconnector 728 and pin H of the left light power connector 728. A leftlow beam resistor 796 is connected between pin L of the left lightconnector 728 and pin L of the left light power connector 728.

A right parking light resistor 798 is connected between pin P of theright light connector 722 and pin P of the right light power connector720. A left parking light resistor 800 is connected between pin P of theleft light connector 728 and pin P of the left light power connector728. A right turn signal resistor 802 is connected between pin T of theright light connector 722 and pin T of the right light power connector720. A left parking light resistor 804 is connected between pin T of theleft light connector 728 and pin T of the left light power connector728.

The resistors 790, 792, 794, 796, 798, 800, 802, and 804 are typicallyeach between approximately 500 Ohms and approximately 2,000 Ohms, andmay preferably each be approximately 1,000 Ohms. The resistors 790 and792 operate to permanently keep the high beam headlight 378 and the lowbeam headlight 382 in the lighting circuit, although the resistors 790and 792 are too high to allow the high beam headlight 378 and the lowbeam headlight 382 to be fully illuminated when the right side vehicleharness connector 310 and the left side vehicle harness connector 312are disconnected. The resistors 794 and 796 operate to permanently keepthe high beam headlight 386 and the low beam headlight 390 in thelighting circuit, although the resistors 794 and 796 are too high toallow the high beam headlight 386 and the low beam headlight 390 to befully illuminated when the right side vehicle harness connector 310 andthe left side vehicle harness connector 312 are disconnected.

The resistors 798 and 800 operate to permanently keep the parking lightof the parking/turn light 44 and the parking light of the parking/turnlight 44 in the lighting circuit, although the resistors 798 and 800 aretoo high to allow the parking light of the parking/turn light 44 and theparking light of the parking/turn light 46 to be fully illuminated whenthe right side vehicle harness connector 310 and the left side vehicleharness connector 312 are disconnected. The resistors 802 and 804operate to permanently keep the right turn light of the parking/turnlight 44 and the left turn light of the parking/turn light 46 in thelighting circuit, although the resistors 802 and 804 are too high toallow the right turn light of the parking/turn light 44 and the leftturn light of the parking/turn light 46 to be fully illuminated when theright side vehicle harness connector 310 and the left side vehicleharness connector 312 are disconnected.

It may therefore be appreciated from the above detailed description ofthe preferred embodiment of the present invention that it teachesindependent lighting systems which facilitates the operation ofauxiliary headlights by automatically disconnecting the vehicleheadlights whenever the auxiliary headlights are connected for operationwith the lighting system of the vehicle. The independent lightingsystems of the present invention completely eliminate the need for anytype of switch to choose between the vehicle headlights and theauxiliary headlights due to their design that allows the mere connectionof the wiring harness of the front-mounted vehicle accessory to thewiring harness of the vehicle to disconnect the vehicle headlights andto connect the auxiliary. The independent lighting systems of thepresent invention also eliminate the need for any relays or additionalelectronic components to perform a switching function between thevehicle headlights and the auxiliary headlights.

The independent lighting systems feature a simplified design which doesnot require any wiring or other connection to the passenger compartmentof the vehicles in which they is installed. The independent lightingsystems are relatively simple and quick to install, and they requireneither advanced knowledge of vehicle electrical systems nor specialtools in order to accomplish their installation. The independentlighting systems provide sealed connectors to protect against theelements to which they will be exposed in operation, and do not relyupon the need for connector caps to protect their connectors, but rathereliminate the need for such caps entirely, thereby precluding thepossibility of their loss or misplacement.

The independent lighting systems are of a construction which is bothdurable and long lasting, and will require little or no maintenance tobe provided by the user throughout its operating lifetime. Theindependent lighting systems are also of inexpensive construction toenhance their market appeal and to thereby afford them the broadestpossible market. Finally, all of the aforesaid advantages and objectivesof the independent lighting systems are achieved without incurring anysubstantial relative disadvantage.

Although the foregoing description of the independent lighting systemshas been shown and described with reference to particular embodimentsand applications thereof, it has been presented for purposes ofillustration and description and is not intended to be exhaustive or tolimit the invention to the particular embodiments and applicationsdisclosed. It will be apparent to those having ordinary skill in the artthat a number of changes, modifications, variations, or alterations tothe invention as described herein may be made, none of which depart fromthe spirit or scope of the present invention. The particular embodimentsand applications were chosen and described to provide the bestillustration of the principles of the invention and its practicalapplication to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art toutilize the invention in various embodiments and with variousmodifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. All suchchanges, modifications, variations, and alterations should therefore beseen as being within the scope of the present invention as determined bythe appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth towhich they are fairly, legally, and equitably entitled.

1. An independent lighting system for connecting an auxiliary headlightto the lighting system of a vehicle, the vehicle having a vehicleheadlight and a headlight plug which supplies power from the lightingsystem of the vehicle to the vehicle headlight, said independentlighting system comprising: a headlight connector for connection to thevehicle headlight in place of the headlight plug; a headlight powerconnector for connection to the headlight plug; a first harnessconnector that is electrically connected to said headlight connector andto said headlight power connector; a second harness connector forremovable connection to said first harness connector to enable theoperation of the vehicle headlight by the lighting system of thevehicle; and a third harness connector that is electrically connected tothe auxiliary headlight, said third harness connector for removableconnection to said first harness connector to enable the operation ofthe auxiliary headlight by the lighting system of the vehicle.
 2. Anindependent lighting system as defined in claim 1, wherein either saidsecond harness connector or said third harness connector, but not bothsaid second harness connector and said third harness connector, may beconnected to said first harness connector.
 3. An independent lightingsystem as defined in claim 1, wherein said first harness connector maybe connected to either of said second harness connector or said thirdharness connector, but said second harness connector may not beconnected to said third harness connector.
 4. An independent lightingsystem as defined in claim 3, wherein said first harness connector is ofa first gender and said second harness connector and said third harnessconnector are of a second gender which is different from said firstgender.
 5. An independent lighting system as defined in claim 1, whereinsaid first harness connector, said second harness connector, and saidthird harness connector each have housings with integrated sealingelements such that whenever said first harness connector is connected toone of said second harness connector and said third harness connector aseal is formed therebetween.
 6. An independent lighting system asdefined in claim 1, wherein said first harness connector, said secondharness connector, and said third harness connector have housings withan integral releasable locking latch such that said first harnessconnector will remain connected to the one of said second harnessconnector and said third harness connector it is connected to until saidlocking latch is released.
 7. An independent lighting system as definedin claim 1, wherein the vehicle also has a turn signal light and theindependent lighting system also has a turn signal light, and whereinsaid independent lighting system additionally comprises: a turn signalconnector for connection to the turn signal light of the vehicle, saidturn signal connector also being electrically connected to said firstharness connector; wherein the turn signal light of the independentlighting system is electrically connected to said third harnessconnector, whereby when said first harness connector is connected tosaid third harness connector the turn signal light of the independentlighting system will operate whenever the turn signal light of thevehicle is operated.
 8. An independent lighting system as defined inclaim 1, wherein the vehicle also has a parking light and theindependent lighting system also has a parking light, and wherein saidindependent lighting system additionally comprises: a parking lightconnector for connection to the parking light of the vehicle, saidparking light connector also being electrically connected to said firstharness connector; wherein the parking light of the independent lightingsystem is electrically connected to said third harness connector,whereby when said first harness connector is connected to said thirdharness connector the parking light of the independent lighting systemwill operate whenever the parking light of the vehicle is operated. 9.An independent lighting system as defined in claim 1, wherein both saidheadlight connector and said headlight power connector are three pinconnectors.
 10. An independent lighting system as defined in claim 1,wherein the vehicle has right and left vehicle headlights respectivelyhaving right and left headlight plugs connected thereto to provide powerfrom the lighting system of the vehicle to the right and left vehicleheadlights, and wherein the independent lighting system also has leftand right auxiliary headlights, and wherein said headlight connector isconnected to the right vehicle headlight in place of the right headlightplug, and wherein said headlight power connector is connected to theright headlight plug, and wherein said third harness connector iselectrically connected to one of the right and left auxiliaryheadlights, said independent lighting system additionally comprising: asecond headlight connector for connection to the left vehicle headlightin place of the left headlight plug; a second headlight power connectorfor connection to the left headlight plug, wherein said second harnessconnector is electrically connected to said second headlight connectorand to said second headlight power connector; and a fourth harnessconnector which is electrically connected to the other of the right andleft auxiliary headlights, wherein said fourth harness connector may beremovably connected to said second harness connector to enable theoperation of the other of the right and left auxiliary headlights by thelighting system of the vehicle.
 11. An independent lighting system asdefined in claim 1, additionally comprising: a first auxiliary harnessconnector which is electrically connected to said headlight connectorand to said headlight power connector; and a first interface connectorwhich is electrically connected to said first harness connector, saidfirst interface connector also being removably connected to said firstauxiliary harness connector.
 12. An independent lighting system asdefined in claim 11, wherein said first auxiliary harness connector andsaid first interface connector each have housings with integratedsealing elements such that whenever said first auxiliary harnessconnector is connected to said first interface connector a seal isformed therebetween.
 13. An independent lighting system as defined inclaim 11, wherein said first auxiliary harness connector and said firstinterface connector have housings with an integral releasable lockinglatch such that said first auxiliary harness connector will remainconnected to said first interface connector until said locking latch isreleased.
 14. An independent lighting system as defined in claim 11,wherein the vehicle also has a turn signal light and the independentlighting system also has a turn signal light, and wherein saidindependent lighting energy interruption system additionally comprises:a turn signal connector for connection to the turn signal light of thevehicle, said turn signal connector also being electrically connected tosaid first auxiliary harness connector; wherein the turn signal light ofthe independent lighting system is electrically connected to said thirdharness connector, whereby when said first harness connector isconnected to said third harness connector the turn signal light of theindependent lighting system will operate whenever the turn signal lightof the vehicle is operated.
 15. An independent lighting system asdefined in claim 11, wherein the vehicle also has a parking light andthe independent lighting system also has a parking light, and whereinsaid independent lighting system additionally comprises: a parking lightconnector for connection to the parking light of the vehicle, saidparking light connector also being electrically connected to said firstauxiliary harness connector; wherein the parking light of theindependent lighting system is electrically connected to said thirdharness connector, whereby when said first harness connector isconnected to said third harness connector the parking light of theindependent lighting system will operate whenever the parking light ofthe vehicle is operated.
 16. An independent lighting system as definedin claim 1, additionally comprising: a first auxiliary harness connectorwhich is electrically connected to said headlight connector; a secondauxiliary harness connector which is electrically connected to saidheadlight power connector; a first interface connector which iselectrically connected to said first harness connector, said firstinterface connector being removably electrically connected to said firstauxiliary harness connector; and a second interface connector which iselectrically connected to said first harness connector, said secondinterface connector being removably electrically connected to saidsecond auxiliary harness connector.
 17. An independent lighting systemas defined in claim 16, wherein said first auxiliary harness connectorand said first interface connector each have housings with integratedsealing elements such that whenever said first auxiliary harnessconnector is connected to said first interface connector a seal isformed therebetween, and wherein said second auxiliary harness connectorand said second interface connector each have housings with integratedsealing elements such that whenever said second auxiliary harnessconnector is connected to said second interface connector a seal isformed therebetween.
 18. An independent lighting system as defined inclaim 16, wherein said first auxiliary harness connector and said firstinterface connector have housings with an integral releasable lockinglatch such that said first auxiliary harness connector will remainconnected to said first interface connector until said locking latch isreleased, and wherein said second auxiliary harness connector and saidsecond interface connector have housings with an integral releasablelocking latch such that said second auxiliary harness connector willremain connected to said second interface connector until said lockinglatch is released.
 19. An independent lighting system as defined inclaim 1, additionally comprising: a resistor that is electricallyconnected between said headlight connector and said headlight powerconnector, wherein said resistor provides an electrical connectionbetween the vehicle headlight and the headlight plug irrespective ofwhether or not said second harness connector is connected to said firstharness connector.
 20. A method of connecting an auxiliary headlight tothe lighting system of a vehicle, the vehicle having a vehicle headlightand a headlight plug which supplies power from the lighting system ofthe vehicle to the vehicle headlight, said method comprising: connectinga headlight connector to the vehicle headlight in place of the headlightplug, said headlight connector being electrically connected to a firstharness connector; connecting a headlight power connector to theheadlight plug, said headlight power connector also being electricallyconnected to a first harness connector; removably connecting a secondharness connector to said first harness connector to enable theoperation of the vehicle headlight by the lighting system of thevehicle; and removably connecting a third harness connector which iselectrically connected to the auxiliary headlight to said first harnessconnector to enable the operation of the first auxiliary headlight bythe lighting system of the vehicle.
 21. A method as defined in claim 20,additionally comprising: electrically connecting a first auxiliaryharness connector to said headlight connector and to said headlightpower connector; and electrically connecting a first interface connectorto said first harness connector, said first interface connector alsobeing removably connected to said first auxiliary harness connector. 22.A method as defined in claim 20, additionally comprising: electricallyconnecting a first auxiliary harness connector to said headlightconnector; electrically connecting a second auxiliary harness connectorto said headlight power connector; electrically connecting a firstinterface connector to said first harness connector, said firstinterface connector being removably electrically connected to said firstauxiliary harness connector; and electrically connecting a secondinterface connector to said first harness connector, said secondinterface connector being removably electrically connected to saidsecond auxiliary harness connector.